Man sentenced over $2m money laundering scheme

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A man has been sentenced to two years and nine months' imprisonment for dishonesty and money laundering offending relating to more than $2 million.

Suppression orders prevented publication of other charges against the man, but they can now be revealed.

Cheng Qi "Chris" Wang, 54, was in January this year found guilty of dishonestly using a document and money laundering and sentenced to two years and nine months' imprisonment.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) charges related to property transactions undertaken by Wang during 2008.

He used a method known as "price hydraulicking" to obtain 100 per cent or greater mortgage funding from lenders by using false documentation, the SFO said.

"This entails the same day purchase and on-sale of particular properties at significantly different purchase prices; the purchase price on the greater value sale and purchase agreement being relied upon to obtain finance."

Wang processed mortgage money through various entities' bank accounts, normally home stay students living with him, and then paid the relevant costs before retaining the net balance of the proceeds.

In total, he obtained $2.3 million in mortgage funding, the SFO said.

SFO acting chief executive Simon McArley said Wang deliberately set out to deceive the banks concerned into believing that he paid significantly more for the properties than he had.

"He also dragged other individuals into his scheme. His method should be seen as a reminder to fund providers, and to investors, to maintain a high standard of checks and balances."