‘Fortune teller’ and daughter allegedly behind A$70m fraud in Australia

BBC:

A mother-and-daughter duo – one claiming to be a fortune teller and a feng shui master – have been charged over allegedly scamming almost A$70m ($46m; £35m) from “vulnerable” Vietnamese targets in Australia.

The mother, 53, was arrested in the exclusive suburb of Dover Heights in Sydney on Wednesday, along with her daughter, 25. Police say they were an intrinsic part of a “highly sophisticated” fraud and money laundering syndicate.

The mother allegedly convinced her victims to take out loans, keeping a share herself, by telling them she foresaw a “billionaire” in their future.

She was refused bail due to appear in court on Thursday. Her daughter was granted bail with a court date in January.

The mother faces 39 charges including directing the activities of a criminal group and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Her daughter was charged with seven offences including recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and being part of a criminal group.

During the early-morning arrest at the pair’s multi-million-dollar mansion, police seized financial documents, mobile phones, luxury handbags, a 40 gram gold bar worth A$10,000 ($6,500; £5,000) and A$6,600 in casino chips.