ACT Policing investigators have laid an additional 69 charges in relation to an identity theft investigation that began last year, centred on the Tuggeranong Vodaphone store.
A 33-year-old man previously charged in September 2020 on one count of identity theft, faced court on Friday 12 March 2021, where additional charges were laid.
The man is now facing an additional 67 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and two counts of possession of stolen property.
Police allege the man stole identity documents he had access to as the owner of the Tuggeranong Vodafone store. To date, police have identified 83 victims of identity theft.
About 7.10am on Thursday 3 September 2020, police executed a search warrant at a Vodafone store in Greenway where the man worked, as well as at his home.
During the search warrant, police seized a number of items including identification material and a credit card notification letter of a fraudulently obtained credit card.
The man was arrested for dealing in identification material and taken to Tuggeranong Police Station. On the same day, he was conveyed to the ACT Regional Watch House where he was charged and bailed to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date.
At that time, Detective Acting Inspector Robert Rose said there could be more victims..
“I would encourage anyone who transacted at the Greenway Vodafone store to report any unusual credit applications in their name to the financial provider as well as police,” Detective Acting Inspector Rose said.
Police believe the man was operating as part of a larger fraud syndicate.
The man is next scheduled to appear in court on 23 April.
Anyone with information that could assist police can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6528370. Information can be provided anonymously.
