Tina Montana, 47, from Sydney’s west, has become the third person to be charged in connection with a fraud syndicate that allegedly posed as psychics to scam victims out of large sums of money and property.
Montana was arrested following the execution of a search warrant at a home on Punchbowl Road, Punchbowl, on Wednesday morning. She was taken to Campsie Police Station, where she was formally charged with 13 offences, including identity theft, money laundering, participating in an organised crime group, fraud, and hindering the discovery of evidence. Montana was denied bail and appeared in Bankstown Local Court the same day.
The alleged fraud syndicate is said to have been operating in the Sydney area since 2006, defrauding at least four victims. Strike Force Recycling was established in July to investigate the criminal activities of multiple individuals involved in the scheme. In August, a 48-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man, both believed to be connected to Montana, were charged with fraud-related offences and are currently before the courts.
Detective Inspector Craig Brooks stated that the syndicate members posed as psychics, convincing their victims to provide large sums of money and valuable property. The investigation alleges that the offenders did not return these items, violating the trust of the victims.
While the exact nature of the “psychic” services provided has not been disclosed, authorities confirmed that items typically associated with psychic practices, such as tarot cards and crystal balls, were seized from the residence searched in Punchbowl.
According to Scamwatch, Australia has reported 105 psychic and/or clairvoyant scams this year, with 25 of them in New South Wales. Inspector Brooks strongly urged the public not to provide money to anyone offering psychic services.
Police believe there may be more individuals involved in the syndicate and are calling for anyone with information or anyone who suspects they may have been scammed to contact Crime Stoppers.