A Pakistani national residing in New South Wales, Australia has been accused of unlawfully obtaining the personal financial details of over 100 Australians. The stolen information was allegedly used to fraudulently secure hundreds of high-end mobile services.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday, November 27, following an investigation conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in collaboration with the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3). The operation also saw assistance from telecommunications companies such as Optus and TPG Telecom.
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A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence in Auburn, a suburb in western Sydney, where investigators discovered over $1 million in cash, more than 500 SIM cards, and 21 electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones. Additionally, credit cards and financial documents were seized during the search.
Authorities allege that the suspect scammed victims by impersonating a telecommunications service representative. Victims were reportedly contacted with offers to upgrade their mobile devices and were sent a one-time PIN for verification, which the suspect is accused of intercepting to carry out fraudulent transactions.
The investigation has linked the man to over 100 victims across Australia, underscoring the extensive nature of the cybercrime. The accused is set to appear at the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court, where more details of the case will be presented.
