Sydney hospital loses $2m to alleged BEC fraud

A man has been charged with involvement in an alleged business email compromise (BEC) scam that cost a Sydney hospital $2 million.

The 49-year-old man’s home in Yagoona, western Sydney, was raided yesterday following multiple alleged instances of BEC fraud targeting the hospital in Burwood in September.

He was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime more than $5000 and refused bail.

NSW Police declined to reveal the full name of the hospital. 

Detectives attached to state crime command’s cybercrime squad established Strike Force Millbon to investigate the alleged BEC fraud scheme.

Detective Superintendent Matt Craft, commander of the cybercrime squad, said the force is seeing an increase in email fraud targeting large businesses across NSW.

“These criminals are targeting all members of the community, particularly businesses and are using more elaborate and sophisticated ways to scam the general public,” he added.

The most commonly seen BEC scams are invoices sent to businesses with altered payment details.