Security News > 2023 > March > Australian police arrest four BEC actors who stole $1.7 million

The Australian Federal Police has arrested four members of a cybercriminal syndicate that has laundered $1.7 million stolen from at least 15 victims between January 2020 and March 2023.

Eventually, two men and two women aged between 26 and 35 were arrested in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

The AFP has also released video footage of the arrests.

"About $1.1 million was allegedly laundered to bank accounts in South Africa, where the group was working with associates who sourced legitimate identity documents and altered the photographs and birth dates so Australian syndicate members could use them," explains AFP. "The majority of documents belonged to victims residing in South Africa, some of whom were Australian citizens."

The arrested individuals face charges for money laundering, producing or processing false travel documents, dishonestly obtaining personal financial information, and dealing in proceeds of crime.

For two arrested crime members, the maximum penalty is ten years of imprisonment, while the other two charged with more counts for additional violations face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/australian-police-arrest-four-bec-actors-who-stole-17-million/