Third man charged following money mule investigation

ACT Policing has charged a third man following an extensive investigation into alleged money mule activity.

Yesterday (Tuesday, 26 May 2026) police executed search warrants at a residence in Chiefly as part of an ongoing investigation into ‘money mules’ operating in the ACT.

‘Money mules’ facilitate the swift movement of money that has been fraudulently obtained. In this operation, it is alleged those involved opened multiple bank accounts that then received millions of dollars obtained through business email compromise incidents, converting the stolen money into gold bullion, cash and cryptocurrency.

At the Chifley residence, investigators located documentation and bank cards linked to alleged offending as well as identity documents suspected to be fraudulent.

A 53-year-old man was subsequently charged with receiving stolen property, dealing in the proceeds of crime greater than $1 million and dealing in the proceeds of crime greater than $50,000. He will face the ACT Magistrates Court today, (Wednesday, 27 May 2026).

He is the third man charged as part of this investigation with a 49-year-old Fisher man charged in April and a 75-year-old man charged in December 2025.

ACT Policing reminds the community that business email compromise and other cyber-enabled fraud offences can have significant financial and emotional impacts. Businesses are encouraged to remain vigilant when conducting financial transactions and to independently verify payment details before proceeding.

Further information about business email compromise scams is available via ScamWatch.

Anyone with information about suspected fraud or financial crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Information can be provided anonymously.