$10 million in assets seized from 'sophisticated' money launderer

A major money laundering investigation has seen a 35-year-old man charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) after they uncovered more than $10 million in assets across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The ACT man was charged on Thursday with one count of dealing with property using crime proceeds after eight ACT homes, four luxury cars, and millions of dollars worth of cash and cryptocurrency were seized.

Police said the cars combined were worth more than $800,000, and that the man held 28 bank accounts and about $600,000 in cryptocurrency.

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A 35-year-old man has been charged with with one count of dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime for an amount of $100,000 or more.

The AFP will allege he used "sophisticated" transactions to launder cash and cryptocurrency from the sale of stolen personal IDs, illegal goods, scams and illegal online gambling.

The man faces a maximum penalty of three years in jail, and was granted bail to appear before court.

AFP Acting Commander Scott Raven said money laundering was a threat to Australia's economy and national security.

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Police seized more than $1.5 million worth of cash hidden inside one Canberra home.The man was granted bail, set to appear before court at a later date.

"Money laundering is also heavily used to fund further criminal activities that impact our community's safety," he said.

"The AFP has a unique ability to disrupt groups suspected of criminal activity where it hurts them the most; seizing their profits and preventing them from using those funds in future ventures."



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