The Melbourne District Court sentenced a 31-year-old Australian man to two years in prison for identity theft and using false documents to register cryptocurrency accounts.

According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), law enforcement launched an operation called Stonefish in August 2022. It was initiated after UK authorities began to investigate the activities of a website offering spoofing services for only 20 British pounds (about $25). The site was found to facilitate identity theft and financial fraud.

AFP has learned that an Australian man was linked to the website. He opened accounts on two cryptocurrency exchanges using fake documents. To complete the KYC procedure, the offender provided someone else’s driver’s license with other people’s data, but with his own photo. The Australian federal government’s cyber crime intelligence website Report Cyber ​​received a complaint from a resident in New South Wales. The victim reported that someone had created a bank account on his behalf. As a result of the illegal actions of the swindler, the total losses of victims amounted to 1 million Australian dollars ($670,000).

In November 2022, AFP officers searched the criminal’s home, seizing various forms, a fake driver’s license, someone’s lost passport and other documents in other people’s names. On the attacker’s computer, police found an encrypted messaging platform containing instructions for creating fake documents. During the search, the man refused to provide access codes to his devices.

“Identity theft can have serious consequences on people’s lives as the information is sold online or used for criminal purposes. This is a serious criminal offense punishable by a significant prison sentence,” said Detective Chief Inspector Tim Stainton.

Let us recall that in April, the authorities of Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum on the exchange of data on digital asset holders in order to more effectively combat tax evaders.