Three Australian accountants charged in $46m loan fraud probe

10 September 2026 , 20:10

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Three Australian accountants charged in $46m loan fraud probe

Australian police have charged three accountants for allegedly helping an organized crime syndicate obtain tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent loans, bringing the total number of people charged in the probe to 33, New South Wales Police said on Thursday.

Investigators said the syndicate initially used stolen identities to finance nonexistent luxury "ghost cars" before expanding into large-scale personal, business, and home-loan fraud targeting multiple financial institutions.

Police allege the accountants misused their positions to facilitate and approve false applications. A 46-year-old accounting firm director was charged over fraudulent documents linked to $16.2 million in loans, while two others, aged 34 and 28, face charges related to $15.6 million and $14.5 million in loans, respectively.

The investigation, launched in 2024, involves state police, the NSW Crime Commission, tax authorities, and financial regulators.

Elizabeth Baker

Technology & Business Editor