Con turns 1c into almost $1m

[Chicago Democrat]

Con turns 1c into almost $1m
By Mark Dunn (Australia)
February 7, 2004

A GROUP of conmen are on the run after pulling off a sting that turned a one cent cheque into almost $1 million.

The thieves duped Victorian financial institutions into giving them almost $1 million after a crude forgery changed the amount payable on the otherwise worthless cheque.

The men are believed to have hatched the plan while gambling at Crown casino and managed to get $876,707 in a string of withdrawals through the Bank of Melbourne before the account was frozen and police were alerted.

Victoria Police's Asian squad has issued a nationwide call for a man they wish to speak to about the fraud.

Police got a photo of the man when a fake VicRoads driver's licence was presented to the bank in an attempt to make further withdrawals.

More at...

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8606019%255E26462,00.html


Truly amazing heist!

[david_vincent]

1. Wasn't long ago that two "secure" servers for the Customs Service

in Australia were stolen in broad daylight by a couple of thieves dressed as "computer techies" who walked right in and left with the servers. When was that - October?