A routine screening at Perth International Airport has blown the lid off a suspected multi-million-dollar money laundering operation, with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) now restraining about $7 million in assets believed to be proceeds of crime.
The extraordinary investigation began in October 2023 when airport security flagged irregularities in the luggage of a 65-year-old woman preparing to depart Australia. After being referred to the Australian Border Force (ABF), a search uncovered bundles of cash – $191,850 in Australian dollars, along with a small amount of Euros and other currency – concealed in her clothing and suitcase.
The AFP was called in and seized the cash, which the woman allegedly failed to declare. She claimed the money was savings, partly gifted by her family, including her son and daughter-in-law.
That statement triggered an AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) probe, which soon revealed that the son and daughter-in-law had purchased six properties in Western Australia over the past six years, valued at around $4.5 million. Some of these properties were mortgage-free.
Police alleged the couple’s declared earnings to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) didn’t stack up against their spending and asset accumulation.
“Police alleged the couple hid their true earnings to ensure they paid less tax than required to the ATO.”
The investigation further found the couple had recently acquired a residential property in Gnangara, WA, worth just over $2 million.
On 24 June 2025, the CACT – comprising the AFP, ABF, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and ATO – applied to the Perth District Court to restrain the assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth). The restrained assets include seven WA properties worth approximately $6.5 million, the $191,850 seized at Perth Airport, and a bank account with about $236,000.
Australia’s proceeds of crime legislation enables authorities to restrain assets even in the absence of a criminal prosecution, as is the case here. Those affected by a restraint order can apply to have their assets excluded if they prove they were legitimately acquired and not connected to criminal activity.
AFP Western Command acting Superintendent Chris Colley said the CACT was committed to ensuring individuals couldn’t profit from crime.
“The AFP and its partners in the CACT will hold people to account and make sure they are able to lawfully justify the wealth and assets they accumulate,” a/Supt Colley said.
“Those who acquire wealth unlawfully consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than any potential prison sentence.”
“The CACT is committed to seeing the legal process through to completion; pursuing confiscation orders in relation to the restrained assets and property.”
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge emphasised the importance of declaring large sums of cash when travelling.
“There is no limit to the amount of cash travellers are allowed to bring in or take out of the country, however, it must be declared if it is more than $10,000 AUD,” Supt Eldridge said.
“The ABF and partners use intelligence-based profiling and behavioural analysis to target people attempting to depart Australia with undeclared excess cash, including allegedly in support of money laundering networks and serious organised crime groups.”
“We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to remove profit as a motive for criminal acts.”
Should legal proceedings prove successful, the seized assets will be liquidated by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) and the funds deposited into the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds can then be reinvested into crime prevention, drug treatment, and other initiatives aimed at protecting community safety.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
