A 52-year-old Maryborough woman will appear before court this morning charged with fraud and hacking offences following her alleged involvement in scamming a business out of $93,000 and using the money to fund a luxury cruise.
It is alleged the offender gained access to the business via a phishing scam email which provided access to the company’s funds. The money was then allegedly used to pay for a flight to Florida and a ticket for a luxury cruise traveling from Miami to Sydney. A second leg of the journey was also booked and due to depart Sydney for Rangoon on February 11.
New South Wales police on behalf of the Queensland Police Service’s Fraud and Cyber Crime Group arrested the woman as the cruise docked in Sydney on Tuesday (prior to departing on its journey to Rangoon).
The woman appeared in New South Wales Local Court before being extradited by Queensland investigators yesterday. She will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning charged with one count each of fraud and hacking.
Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.