Alleged identity crime and fraud from Citibank call centre: Sydney police arrest four

Four arrested after investigations into identity crime and call centre fraud

MORE than $1 million has been stolen from Australian Citibank customers after a major security breach that involved a Filipino call centre worker selling personal details to a crime syndicate in Sydney. 

 

Police will allege the details of 30 Australian customers were stolen and on sold to the syndicate in Australia, who then used the details to take out fraudulent credit cards and bank loans.

The call centre scandal was uncovered when officers from the St George Local Area Command did a routine traffic stop and searched a vehicle in Beverly Hills two weeks ago.

Four arrested over identity fraud. Picture: NSW Police Media

Picture: NSW Police Media

 

They discovered documents that did not match the driver or occupants of the vehicle and were linked back to Citibank customers who had reported funds missing from their accounts.

In a joint investigation with the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, police were able to trace the leak back to a call centre in the Philippines.

“Personally and professionally it’s very alarming that personal information is being sold by the very people you trust to keep it secure and they are using it for fraudulent transactions,” St George LAC Commander Superintendent Dave Donohue told The Daily Telegraph.

“If this isn’t a wake-up call to financial institutions, I don’t know what is.”

Police carried out raids this morning at two homes at Liverpool and West Hoxton and arrested four men over the scam.

The men, aged 38, 33, 29 and 23, were taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with fraud offences and dealing with proceeds of crime.

A Citibank spokesman said the company identified fraud committed against a “small number” of customer accounts and immediately reported the matter to the NSW Police Fraud Squad.

“We are cooperating fully with the police investigation and are satisfied that all those responsible have been identified,” the spokesman said.

“Citi places the highest importance on security and maintains a zero tolerance for fraud of any kind.

Customers will not be financially impacted by any unauthorised activity as a result of this fraud. As these matters are now before the court it is not appropriate for Citi to make further comment.”

Police arrest a man in connection to investigations into identity crime and call centre fraud. Picture: NSW Police Media

 

Detectives are investigating whether customer details from other financial institutions have been compromised and are working with overseas counterparts to find the person responsible for selling the information.

Supt Donohue praised the work of the eagle-eyed officers who uncovered the documents, saying the potential for more people to be targeted was “huge”.

Commander of the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent John Watson thanked the bank for assisting with the infestation and helping to stamp out fraud.

The four men were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.

Police have urged all banking customers to check their financial statements regularly and report any unusual activity to their financial institution immediately.

news.com.au  2 July 2015

This is only one instance that the police let you know about.

There are plenty more that the masses do not know about as police do not release this information.

Keep sending 'our' jobs to dodgy overseas call centres where there is little regard for 'law'.

Citibank should be sued for this!!! !!! !!!