Dramatic footage has captured the moment an alleged luxury 'ghost car' fraud syndicate was brought down in a police operation across Sydney.
Detectives allege the group used stolen personal details to fraudulently secure loans from multiple financial institutions in order to purchase luxury vehicles termed 'ghost cars' because they never existed.
Investigations revealed the syndicate’s alleged operations extended beyond car financing fraud to large-scale personal, business, and home loan fraud against multiple financial institutions.
Two men were charged following early morning raids across Sydney on Wednesday by heavily armed police from Strike Force Raptor.
One of the accused ringleaders, dressed in a Louis Vuitton bomber jacket valued at more than $5400, was grilled by detectives before being escorted out of a Crown Sydney apartment in Barangaroo. He was later hit with dozens of serious charges.
Police seized luxury cars, designer watches, Chanel jewellery, high-end handbags, drugs, and cash in various currencies - a combined haul worth $38 million.
Wednesday’s raids alone netted $4.1 million worth of items, including two Bentleys, a Ferrari 360, A$20,000, US$12,100, and €1,070.
One of the alleged ringleaders was wearing an expensive Louis Vuitton bomber jacket as he was escorted from a Crown Sydney unit in Barangaroo. He was later charged with 87 offences
Three luxury cars were seized during Wednesday's search warrants
Dozens of luxury accessories including watches, were also seized
A firearm, two Tasers, and body armour were also seized during the raids.
The NSW Crime Commission froze assets valued at $20 million.
A 38-year-old man, arrested at Barangaroo and accused of committing $12.9 million in fraud, has been hit with 87 charges.
These include 57 counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, 14 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime with intent to conceal, and four counts of using a false document to obtain a financial advantage.
He also faces charges of knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, recklessly dealing with the proceeds of general crime with intent to conceal, and possession of a prohibited drug.
His co-accused ringleader, 34, was arrested in Seaforth on Sydney’s northern beaches. He was charged with 107 offences, including 87 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and 19 counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Both men were refused bail to appear in court on Thursday.
A Ferrari 360 was among $4.1 million worth of luxury items seized during Wednesday's raids
A firearm, two tasers, and body armour (pictured) were also seized.
Six people have previously been charged with these offences and remain before the courts.
Investigators are scheduled to address the media about the alleged syndicate later on Thursday.
