PHOTO: Two Chinese nationals had “moved about $23 million of alleged proceeds of crime from China since late 2012”, the AFP alleges. ABC: Andrew O’Connor
A mansion in Melbourne’s east, newly constructed units and more than 3,000 acres of Tasmanian farmland are among $17.3 million in property seized by authorities as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering by Chinese nationals.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) this morning said it had seized six properties in Melbourne’s east — including a new mansion in Mont Albert, three units and a townhouse in Box Hill North and a commercial property in Blackburn — and more than 3,000 acres of farmland at Musselroe Bay on Tasmania’s north-east coast on Tuesday.
AFP Detective Superintendent Kate Ferry said the operation followed a 2017 request from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security for help to identify two Chinese nationals suspected of laundering proceeds of crime in Australia.
“Chinese authorities believe the money was raised in China through real estate and bank loan fraud,” Detective Superintendent Ferry said.
“What the AFP alleges is that the two Chinese nationals moved about $23 million of alleged proceeds of crime from China since late 2012.
READ MORE VIA ABC
