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Total assets restrained by the AFP-led Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce totals more than $15.6 million.
The Australian Federal Police announced today (5 August) that it has restrained assets valued at $15.6 million following the arrest of two Russian nationals earlier this year over an alleged money laundering operation.
The assets included $514,000 in cryptocurrency, alongside properties worth around $12.96 million, $118,000 in various bank accounts, and $1.95 million in cash.
The AFP-led Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce made the application to restrain the assets in July in the District Court of Queensland.
The two Russians – a 49-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman – moved to Australia in 2015 and became the subject of a Gold Coast Joint Organised Crime Taskforce after being provided intelligence by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
Police allege the pair laundered money into Australia by purchasing multiple properties in Queensland.
The pair were charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime, and the matter remains before the courts.
“People engaged in money laundering are motivated by greed and an intent to make illicit profits. We work tirelessly with our partners to disrupt their criminal activities and remove their ill-gotten wealth,” acting Commander Amelia McDonald said in a statement.
“The AFP’s ability to target the means by which criminals launder their money and seize these profits sends a message to criminals – all your wealth is an illusion which will disappear when we knock on your door.”
Funds restrained in this manner can be distributed by the Attorney-General to fund crime-prevention measures, diversion programs, and other law enforcement measures.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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