- Strike Force police have caught out international students scamming from banks
- The students used forged signatures to convince banks they held the accounts
- $2.5 million has been stolen, 24 have been arrested and 288 charges laid
Strike Force police have caught out international students scamming millions from banks as part of an overseas criminal syndicate.
Those involved have been using forged signatures and documents to convince bank staff they are the the legitimate account holders, and then withdrawing the cash.
Twenty-four people have been arrested, and 288 charges have been laid by police over $2.5 million stolen from banks, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Many of the perpetrators were in Australia on student visas.
Strike Force police have caught out international students scamming millions from banks as part of an overseas criminal syndicate
In some instances, the syndicate has been bypassing the banks verification systems by taking over mobile phone numbers of victims, the publication reported.
Many of those who have been caught have been sentenced to jail since Strike Force Wilmot was established in 2013.
One man was sentenced to a minimum of 20 months jail in January, while another was jailed in February.
In some instances, the syndicate has been bypassing the banks verification systems by taking over mobile phone numbers of victims
NSW Police cyber crime chief Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis told the Daily Telegraph Strike Force Wilmot did an outstanding job catching those involved.
‘We have worked very closely with the financial institutions in order to identify those responsible,’ Det Katsogiannis said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW police for comment.
Twenty-four people have been arrested, and 288 charges have been laid by police over $2.5 million stolen from banks
Advertisement