Sydney ‘scammers’ nabbed buying $500K in gold bullion

A woman who bought half a million dollars worth of bullion using funds from an alleged email scam has been nabbed in a dramatic arrest at a Sydney gold dealer after a bank tip-off.

Police swooped on Siara-Lee Barrett, 20, at the bullion dealer in the CBD on Thursday afternoon, along with her alleged accomplices Sirelkhatim Mohamed Ali, 36, and Sophoni Tumaini, 29.

Police seized $34,000 found in the group’s car along with three phones. Another three phones were seized along with some documents during a search of a Zetland apartment. About $300,000 of the allegedly stolen funds has since been recovered.

The arrests came weeks after National Australia Bank provided information to authorities about an alleged business email compromise scam.

The scams typically target employees at large organisations by impersonating leaders, executives or other trusted figures within the business, encouraging them to pay fraudulent invoices or transfer funds.

Some of the alleged scam’s proceeds were received into an NAB account, prompting the tip to authorities.

“Banks play a critical role in identifying and disrupting financial crime,” the bank’s executive of group investigations Chris Sheehan said.

“NAB continues to work in close partnership with law enforcement and authorities, sharing intelligence and acting quickly to help stop criminal activity and protect customers.”

Barrett was charged with dealing with proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.

Ali has also been accused of participating in a criminal group, as well as dealing with identity information to commit an indictable offence.

The pair were granted bail. Their passports were surrendered to police and they were restricted to only one phone each as part of their conditions.

Tumaini has been charged with the same offences as Ali, as well as two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime. He did not apply for bail and remains in custody.

All three are due back at Downing Centre Local Court on May 28.

Gold bullion is among the high-value, portable and untraceable products popular among organised criminal groups to launder dirty cash. Others include luxury goods, watches, and even Lego.