Two Charged In Australia Over $5 Million Crypto Fraud

Australian authorities have charged two men following an investigation into an alleged $5 million cryptocurrency investment scam that targeted vulnerable victims across the country.

Summary

  • The New South Wales Police Force has charged two men following an investigation into an alleged $5 million cryptocurrency investment scam targeting Australians.
  • Police allege victims — including elderly and vulnerable individuals — were lured via social media into depositing funds into a fake trading platform, with money funneled through multiple crypto wallets.
  • One man has been charged and granted conditional bail, while investigations continue as authorities warn Australians about rising investment scam losses.

The New South Wales Police Force said detectives from its Cybercrime Squad launched Strike Force Resaca to investigate reports of fraudulent online investment activity. Search warrants were executed at properties in Strathfield and Cammeray, as well as a business premises in Burwood, all located in Sydney.

Police allege the scheme lured victims, many described as elderly or financially vulnerable, through social media advertisements and unsolicited messages promoting cryptocurrency and other high-return investment opportunities.

Victims were reportedly directed to deposit funds into what they believed was a legitimate trading platform known as “NEXOpayment.” Australian authorities claim the money was instead funnelled through multiple cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges in an attempt to disguise the movement of funds.

A 42-year-old man was arrested at a Strathfield residence and taken to Auburn Police Station, where he was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime valued above $5,000. He was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Burwood Local Court on March 17, 2026.

A 36-year-old man was also arrested at a Cammeray property and later released pending further inquiries.

Police say investigations remain ongoing and are urging anyone who suspects they may have been targeted by an investment scam to report the matter to authorities. Officials reiterated that investment scams remain one of the highest-loss cybercrime categories in Australia.

RECENT NEWS

Crypto Firms Push Into US Banking

America’s cryptocurrency companies are scrambling to secure a foothold in the country’s traditional banking system, ... Read more

Ether Surges 16% Amid Speculation Of US ETF Approval

New York, USA – Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, experienced a significant surge of ... Read more

BlackRock And The Institutional Embrace Of Bitcoin

BlackRock’s strategic shift towards becoming the world’s largest Bitcoin fund marks a pivotal moment in the financia... Read more

Robinhood Faces Regulatory Scrutiny: SEC Threatens Lawsuit Over Crypto Business

Robinhood, the prominent retail brokerage platform, finds itself in the regulatory spotlight as the Securities and Excha... Read more

Only 5% Of Altcoins Beat The 200‑day As Volume Collapses 80%

Altcoins are stuck in one of the deepest drawdowns of this cycle, with just 5% of Binance‑listed tokens trading above ... Read more

Ex‑Kalshi Staff Launch $35M Fund For Prediction Market Infrastructure

Two early Kalshi alumni are raising up to $35M for 5c(c) Capital, a fund backed by Kalshi and Polymarket CEOs to invest ... Read more