Police have charged three Brimbank men and a Melton man as part of an investigation into an organised crime syndicate that has been allegedly committing a series of complex frauds and deceptions totalling almost $4 million.
Police will allege the syndicate was fraudulently obtaining or attempting to obtain mobile phones, which were subsequently shipped overseas, primarily to Russia.
During the 18-month investigation, police also uncovered two allegedly fraudulently obtained mortgages and a fraudulently obtained vehicle worth at least $1.36 million.
The quartet were arrested by police on April 3 and were collectively charged with almost 100 offences.
A 38-year-old Keilor Downs man was charged with 37 counts of obtaining property by deception, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
A 33-year-old Taylors Lakes man was charged with 37 counts of obtaining property by deception, three counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and three counts of dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
A 32-year-old Sydenham man was charged with negligently dealing with proceeds of crime and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
A 69-year-old Melton man was charged with 12 counts of obtaining property by deception, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
All four were bailed to appear at a later date.
