Accused scammer found with $1m cash, Louis Vuitton bags

[Pelican Press 0]

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Accused scammer found with $1m cash, Louis Vuitton bags

An international student who had more than $1 million in cash at his home has been deemed a flight risk after being charged over his alleged role in a sophisticated mobile phone scam.

Muhammad Akhtar, 21, was arrested on Wednesday and placed on remand after being allegedly found with bundles of cash hidden inside suitcases and Louis Vuitton bags in his bedroom in Auburn, in Sydney’s west.

The Pakistani student appeared by video link at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, when he tried unsuccessfully to get bail.

“The police allege that he is a central figure in a sophisticated group that targets alleged victims gaining access to their financial information,” Judge Michael Allen said.

Victims of the purported scam were contacted by someone claiming to work for a telecoms company offering the chance to upgrade their mobile service.

One-time PINs were sent to the victims, but they were intercepted and used to purchase mobile phones or tablets, often with saved financial details, police said.

The devices were then sent offshore for resale.

Police seized Akhtar’s mobile phone in August, finding 111 credit reports that were made using people’s details without their consent, the court heard on Monday.

While searching his Auburn residence in November, officers found more than $1 million in cash, as well as nine more mobiles and 300 SIM cards, crown prosecutor Edward Jude said.

Judge Allen said the alleged offending was “high level, sophisticated, targeted (and) well-planned”, involving significant deceit and dishonesty.

In applying for bail, defence barrister Varinder Pawar admitted there was a strong prosecution case against his client.

Akhtar held a student visa and was currently studying IT while working for Uber and Uber Eats, the court heard.

The 21-year-old had not fled Australia or interfered with witnesses from the time his phone was seized, Mr Pawar argued.

Strict bail conditions such as a curfew, restrictions on holding more than one mobile phone, the forfeiture of his passport and daily reporting to police would ameliorate any concerns, the barrister said.

Akhtar’s brother-in-law had offered a “sizeable surety” of $20,000 in case he ******* to appear at court, Mr Pawar added.

But Mr Jude rejected the amount of money as suitable, pointing out that the IT student had been found with more than $1 million.

There were suggestions that Akhtar’s brother-in-law and sister were also involved in the scam as they were part of group chats discussing the scheme, the court heard.

Akhtar is the only person to be charged to date.

There was no extradition policy between Australia and Pakistan if the 21-year-old fled the country, Mr Jude noted.

The student has been hit with one count of dishonestly dealing in personal financial information relating to one alleged victim and one count of dealing with the proceeds of ******.

He has not yet entered any pleas and will return to court on January 29.

*********** Federal Police continue their investigations and further charges are expected.

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