Australian police have alleged that a Nigerian man, whose name has been withheld, ran a multimillion-dollar email scam out of Villawood immigration detention centre, using 16 mobile phones and 17 sim cards.
The 43-year-old man is among four people arrested and charged over the long-running scam that defrauded small businesses, stole identities, and deceived would-be lovers online. The deceptions stole more than $3m from Australians online.
Police will allege the Nigerian man was the ringleader, running 16 mobile phone and 17 sim cards to coordinate the scam, all from inside Villawood detention centre. He is set to face court in Sydney later on Friday.
DetSupt Arthur Katsogiannis from NSW police said investigators believe the money was sent to Nigeria, and that it was “highly unlikely” any funds would ever be recovered. Read more