Conveyancer charged as part of fraud investigation

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A woman was charged after being arrested in Weir Views as part of a Financial Crime Squad investigation into a fraudulent conveyancer.

The 48-year-old woman was arrested at a property on Opalia Plaza just after 3pm on Saturday, January 27.

She was icharged with obtain financial advantage by deception.

The woman was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 13.

Her arrest forms part of an investigation into a series of incidents between October 2022 and August 2023 where it’s alleged over $5 million of client funds were retained from property transactions.

Police will also allege the conveyancer, who was operating from an Avondale Heights office, falsified a range of documents including cheques and loan documentation.

At least 23 victims have been identified at this time, the majority of which are from the Vietnamese community.

Detectives have also worked closely with the ATO as part of this investigation and AUSTRAC, Australia’s Financial Intelligence Unit also provided instrumental information for this matter.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.