Restraining Orders Issued Against Suspected Criminal Activity

The NSW Supreme Court granted restraining orders under section 10A of the Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 (NSW) to prevent the defendant from disposing of assets linked to criminal activities. The court found reasonable grounds for suspicion based on evidence of identity theft and fraud.

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: New South Wales Crime Commission v [NAME] [2017] NSWSC 443 Hearing dates: On the papers Date of orders: 20 April 2017 Decision date: 20 April 2017 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt J Decision: Orders made in terms sought. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - procedure - restraining orders sought - ex-parte - orders made Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: New South Wales Crime Commission (Plaintiff) [NAME] (also known as [NAME]) (Defendant) Representation: Solicitors: [redacted] File Number(s): 2017/118115 Publication restriction: No

Judgment 1. By summons which I granted leave to file, the New South Wales Crime Commission applied ex-parte, seeking restraining orders under s 10A of the Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 (NSW) in relation to the interest in certain property of the defendant, [NAME], also known as [NAME].

2. Other orders under ss 12(1), and 28A of the Act were also there sought. The orders pressed were for restraining orders under s 10A, as well as orders under ss 10B and 12(1) and orders for substituted service under rule 10.14 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW).

3. The application was supported by an affidavit sworn on 19 April 2017 by [NAME], the Commission's Director, Assessments and an authorised officer under the Act, as well as by a statement of facts and circumstances provided in accordance with rule 1.26 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW).

4. For the reasons which follow, I am satisfied that the orders sought should be made.

5. The property sought to be restrained is identified in a schedule to the Summons as real property located at North Ryde, and Townsville registered in the name of [NAME] and [NAME], understood to be [NAME]'s spouse, as joint tenants; as well as funds held in Commonwealth Bank accounts in the name [NAME].

6. Ms [NAME] deposed that she suspected that [NAME] had engaged in "serious crime related activity" as defined in s 6 of the Criminal Assets Recovery Act, namely, obtaining financial advantage by knowingly asking a false or misleading statement contrary to the former s 178BB of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW); using a false instrument with intent, contrary to s 300 of the Crimes Act; dealing with identification information contrary to s 182J of the Crimes Act and using false documents to obtain financial advantage, contrary to s 254 of the Crimes Act.

7. Ms [NAME] there also gave a detailed explanation of the basis upon which she came to hold that suspicion. That rested on a consideration of:

1. Documents provided by [NAME], the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which had commenced criminal proceedings against [NAME], alleging that he had assumed the identity of [NAME]. They included a statement provided for the purpose of that prosecution by [NAME];

2. Documents provided by [NAME] in relation to the investigation of the alleged fraud offences, including applications for search warrants;

3. Documents provided by the Registrar of the Criminal Registry at the [ADDRESS], including a court attendance notice, statement of facts and record of [NAME]'s conviction;

4. Documents obtained by employees of the Commission, including searches conducted of the records held in the Equifax and LPI databases and records provided by the CBA;

5. NSWPF search warrant information, a statement of an Australian Border Force supervisor and information provided by the Operational intelligence unit of the Australian Border Force, which suggests that [NAME] last departed Australia on 26 January 2016, although he may have returned briefly on a false passport in February 2012.

1. Ms [NAME] deposed to her experience that in the absence of a restraining order, it is possible for people to attempt to enter into unregistered mortgages in relation to real estate and to withdraw funds from bank accounts very quickly, in order to defeat the operation of the Act.

2. She also deposed to her view that, given the serious nature of the criminal activity in which [NAME] is apparently involved, that notice should not be given of this application. That is a course available under the Act, although s 10A(4) permits a different course to be taken, if the Court thinks fit.

3. Section 10A(5) requires the making of the orders sought under the Act, if the Court considers that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicions to which Ms [NAME] has deposed.

4. In this case, I am satisfied that the material relied on well establishes that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicions to which Ms [NAME] has deposed and that the requirements of s 10A(5) of the Act have been addressed. In that situation, the Act requires that the orders sought in relation to the property in question be made.

5. In the circumstances, I have concluded that it is also appropriate to make the other orders sought, including the order for substituted service upon [NAME], now residing at an address known to her solicitor.

6. On the evidence, I am also satisfied that the Commission ought not to be required to give notice of this application and that it should be dealt with ex-parte. In coming to that view, I have regard to the provisions of s 10C of the Act, which permits an affected person to apply to have a restraining order set aside, as well as the liberty granted in the order to the parties to apply to the Court on three days' notice.

Orders 1. Accordingly, I make orders in the terms sought, as well as ordering that the Commission serve a copy of this judgment on [NAME] and [NAME].

********** DISCLAIMER - Every effort has been made to comply with suppression orders or statutory provisions prohibiting publication that may apply to this judgment or decision. The onus remains on any person using material in the judgment or decision to ensure that the intended use of that material does not breach any such order or provision. Further enquiries may be directed to the Registry of the Court or Tribunal in which it was generated. Decision last updated: 26 April 2017