According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in August 2022, law enforcement officers launched an operation called Stonefish. It was initiated after the UK authorities began investigating the activities of a website offering spoofing services for just 20 British pounds (about $25). It turned out that the site facilitated identity theft and financial fraud.
AFP found out that the Australian was linked to this website. He opened accounts on two cryptocurrency exchanges using fake documents. To undergo the KYC procedure, the violator provided someone else's driver's license with the data of other people, but with his own photo. The Australian Federal government's Cyber Report website, dedicated to collecting information about cybercrimes, has received a complaint from a resident from New South Wales. The victim reported that someone had created a bank account on his behalf. As a result of the fraudster's illegal actions, the total losses of the victims amounted to 1 million Australian dollars ($670,000).
In November 2022, AFP officers raided the criminal's home, seizing various forms, a fake driver's license, someone's lost passport and other documents in other people's names. The police found an encrypted messaging platform on the attacker's computer, which contained instructions on how to create fake documents. During the search, the man refused to provide access codes to his devices.
"Identity theft can have serious consequences for people's lives, as this information is sold over the Internet or used for criminal purposes. This is a serious criminal offense punishable by a significant term of imprisonment," said Chief Inspector Tim Stainton.
Recall that in April, the authorities of Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum on the exchange of data on holders of digital assets in order to more effectively combat tax evaders.