The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has charged three members of an alleged money laundering syndicate for allegedly paying patrons to sign-over their winning checks from electronic gaming machines. The defendants include a 49-year-old woman who is also the alleged ringleader of the syndicate, a 63-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman.
After a year-long investigation, the AFP searched three properties in Melbourne, including a commercial property and two homes. The authorities seized over AUD 170,000 ($117,010) in cash and gold bullions. In one residential property, the authorities found money hidden inside plywood in a bedroom.
The syndicate allegedly laundered millions of dollars in illicit cash through a licensed gaming venue by buying jackpots from patrons. Syndicate members would pay the patrons cash in return for their winning checks. They would then issue the checks in the names of a syndicate member. The money deposited in bank accounts using these checks was then perceived as legitimate gambling winnings.
Source: Australian Federal Police
