Australia Police Arrest Fortune Teller in $46M Scam: Mother-Daughter Duo Charged in Sophisticated Fraud Syndicate

Published: November 13, 2025 | Learn how a self-proclaimed fortune teller exploited trust in Sydney’s Vietnamese community for massive loan fraud and money laundering.

Introduction

In a stunning crackdown on financial crime, Australian police have arrested a 53-year-old mother, known as a fortune teller and feng shui expert, and her 25-year-old daughter in Sydney’s affluent Dover Heights suburb. The duo faces charges in an alleged A$70 million ($46 million USD; £35 million GBP) scam that preyed on vulnerable members of the Vietnamese community. This operation, part of the notorious Penthouse Syndicate, involved sophisticated loan fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, marking one of Australia’s largest financial crime cases.

Police from the Financial Crimes Squad, leading Strike Force Myddleton, seized luxury assets and froze millions during the raid. This Australia fortune teller scam arrest highlights how criminals exploit cultural trust and economic vulnerabilities. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the mother-daughter fraud syndicate, charges, and lessons for scam prevention.

Analysis

The scam’s mechanics reveal a multi-layered operation blending psychological manipulation with financial deception. The mother positioned herself as a trusted community figure, offering fortune-telling readings and feng shui advice to clients facing financial hardship.

How the Fortune Teller Scam Unfolded

Victims, often from Sydney’s Vietnamese diaspora described as “prone” or vulnerable, shared their struggles during consultations. The fortune teller allegedly predicted a “billionaire” savior in their future, urging them to secure loans immediately for quicker manifestation. She reportedly took a cut from these loans, directing victims to financial institutions while pocketing proceeds.

Expansion to Larger Syndicate Activities

Strike Force Myddleton began investigating stolen identities used for “ghost cars”—non-existent luxury vehicles financed fraudulently. This probe uncovered broader crimes: large-scale personal, business, and home loan fraud against multiple banks, totaling up to A$250 million in potential losses. Corrupt bank staff allegedly approved loans for property purchases, linking to the Penthouse Syndicate named after an A$18 million Sydney penthouse owned by the ringleader.

Seizures and Asset Freezes

During the early-morning raid on the pair’s multi-million-dollar mansion, authorities seized financial documents, mobile phones, luxury handbags, a 40-gram gold bar valued at A$10,000 ($6,500 USD; £5,000 GBP), and A$6,600 in casino chips. They also froze A$15 million in assets, adding to A$60 million previously restrained in the ongoing probe.

Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, head of the Financial Crimes Squad, described it as “one of the most sophisticated financial crime syndicates” in his career, emphasizing its evolution from car financing fraud to widespread banking deception.

Summary

Australian authorities arrested a fortune teller mother and her daughter for their roles in a A$70 million scam syndicate targeting vulnerable Vietnamese Australians in Sydney. The mother faces 39 charges, including directing a criminal group and deception for financial gain; her daughter faces seven charges like reckless proceeds handling. Over a dozen arrests have occurred, with more expected among professionals like lawyers and accountants. This Penthouse Syndicate Australia case underscores the dangers of predatory loan fraud schemes.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Protect yourself from fortune teller scams and loan frauds with these verifiable steps, drawn from financial crime prevention guidelines.

Spotting Predatory Loan Pressure

Never take loans based on psychic predictions or urgent “manifestation” promises. Consult independent financial advisors. Verify loan terms directly with banks, avoiding intermediaries who demand cuts.

Safeguarding Personal Data

During cultural or spiritual consultations, limit sharing financial details. Use identity theft protection: monitor credit reports via Equifax or Illion in Australia, and enable bank alerts for unusual activity.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Contact the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) or state police for fraud tips. For Vietnamese community members, resources like the Federation of Vietnamese Communities in Australia offer multilingual support.

Financial Literacy Tools

Educate via ASIC’s MoneySmart website: learn about loan fraud red flags like unsolicited offers or pressure tactics. Build emergency funds to reduce vulnerability.

Points of Caution

Beware of trusted figures: Even community influencers like feng shui experts or fortune tellers can exploit cultural reverence. Cross-verify advice with licensed professionals.

Avoid high-risk investments: Promises of billionaire windfalls via loans scream Ponzi-like schemes. Real wealth builds gradually.

Watch for luxury signals: Syndicate members flaunted wealth (mansions, gold, casino chips)—a common laundering tactic. Report unexplained affluence in fraud contexts.

Community vulnerabilities: Immigrants or hardship-hit groups are prime targets. Promote peer education on Sydney fraud arrests like this.

Comparison

This Australia police fortune teller arrest echoes global scams but stands out for its sophistication.

Vs. Other Australian Fraud Cases

Similar to the 2018 Banksia Securities collapse (A$600 million investor fraud), but this focuses on loan deception rather than securities. Unlike simpler romance scams (A$40 million annual losses per ACCC), this involved organized ghost car and property flips.

International Parallels

Resembles U.S. “psychic frauds” like the 2020 New York case where fortune tellers scammed A$10 million via curse-lifting fees. In Vietnam-origin communities worldwide, cultural scams exploit fortune-telling traditions, as seen in Canada’s 2022 multicultural fraud rings.

Key difference: Scale—A$250 million potential here dwarfs most, with professional enablers (lawyers, accountants) elevating it beyond street-level cons.

Legal Implications

Australia’s strict anti-fraud laws apply directly, as verified by Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

Key Charges and Penalties

Directing Criminal Group (s 390.3): Up to 15 years imprisonment. Mother’s 39 charges emphasize leadership.

Dishonest Financial Gain by Deception (s 400.3): Penalties scale with amount—over A$1 million means life sentences possible for aggravated cases.

Recklessly Dealing in Proceeds (s 400.4): Daughter’s charges carry 10+ years. Money laundering via casinos and assets triggers Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 seizures.

Courts prioritize victim restitution; frozen A$75 million+ assets signal full forfeiture. More arrests target facilitators, invoking anti-money laundering (AUSTRAC) breaches with fines up to A$21 million per entity.

Broad Syndicate Ramifications

Banks face regulatory scrutiny under Banking Code; corrupt staff risk dismissal and charges. Victims can pursue civil claims via Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

Conclusion

The $46m rip-off arrest of this fortune teller duo exposes the dark underbelly of Sydney’s financial crime syndicate operations. From psychic manipulation to ghost car loans and property laundering, the Penthouse Syndicate defrauded banks and preyed on trust. With Detective Superintendent Arbinja vowing more arrests, this case reinforces Australia’s robust response to white-collar crime.

For vulnerable communities, it’s a wake-up call: skepticism saves savings. Stay informed, verify advice, and report suspicions to dismantle such networks. This pedagogical overview equips you to recognize and resist similar Australia scam arrests in the future.

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