A Burmese refugee suspected of a $165,000 internet banking scam was arrested as he prepared to flee Australia, attempting to escape ''unsavoury'' people linked to the fraud operation.
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Win Htut Han, 35, was refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday over allegations he used malware to illegally link his online bank account to another and steal $165,300. He withdrew $90,000 of the stolen funds, transferred $50,000 to a newly created bank account, and put $20,000 on a Commonwealth Bank travel card, the court heard.
Han was arrested after trying to withdraw money from a flagged bank account in Canberra on Thursday, and later made several admissions to police. He told police he was in the city to check his travel documents and passport, with plans to fly to Thailand next week.
Han's lawyer described the refugee as ''an innocent man caught up in quite a nefarious arrangement''. He said he now feared for his safety.
Police suspect that Han was keeping 10 per cent of the stolen funds, before transferring the rest to other accounts. Han allegedly admitted to police that he knew the activities were suspicious. He told police that, after speaking with friends, he determined that his actions were illegal.
At that point, the court heard, he tried to get out of the scam. Han's lawyer said the 35-year-old then organised the $20,000 travel card, despite knowing the money was stolen, came to Canberra to check his travel documents, and made plans to flee Australia on July 19.
Prosecutors opposed bail, arguing Han would be a flight risk if released.
Han's lawyer said that risk could be ameliorated by seizing his client's passport, and by requiring him to regularly report to police in Strathfield in Sydney, where he has lived for the past two years.
Han was also confident his father would provide a surety. But magistrate Bernadette Boss agreed with prosecutors that Han was likely to abscond.
Dr Boss said Han's story that he was an innocent person caught up in a scam was at odds with the evidence of police. She noted that the prosecution appeared to have a strong case.
Han is currently charged with one count of theft and another of attempted theft, and will reappear in court later this month. Other charges could not be dealt with in the ACT as they refer to crimes committed in NSW.
Police are still investigating the fraud, and believe there is $90,000 still missing. They believe a housemate of Han's a co-offender, and that he may have first approached Han about getting involved.
Han's bank accounts have now been frozen.
