- Alleged fortune teller linked to massive fraud and money laundering scheme
- VIP casino access allowed despite unemployment and disability pension claims
- Case adds pressure on Star amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny
A self-proclaimed “fortune teller” who allegedly led a A$250 million (US$165 million) fraud syndicate was permitted to launder around A$800,000 (US$528,000) at Sydney’s Star Casino, despite telling casino officials she was unemployed and living off a A$400-per-week (US$264) disability support pension.
Anya Phan, 53, who also claimed to be a feng shui master, was arrested by New South Wales Police last month on charges of fraud and money laundering.
She is accused of convincing vulnerable clients within Sydney’s Vietnamese community to take out large loans, based on her prophecy that once they did so a billionaire would enter their lives. Phan would take a cut of each loan of up to A$150,000 (US$99,000), according to prosecutors.
Penthouse Syndicate
After her arrest, detectives joined the dots, linking Phan to a wider criminal syndicate that was already under investigation.
She is accused of being the “leader” of the Penthouse Syndicate, a group suspected of defrauding the Australian financial sector of more than A$250 million (US$165 million) with the assistance of corrupt bank employees, lawyers, mortgage brokers and property developers.
This allowed the syndicate to acquire a luxury property empire stretching across Sydney, prosecutors say. Phan herself lived in a mansion worth A$13.7 million (US$9.04 million). She became the ringleader of the group after the arrest of its alleged previous boss, Bing “Michael” Li, in July.
Troubled Star
The news that Phan was able to launder a fortune at Star’s baccarat tables as a VIP client — including, on one occasion, A$45,000 (US$29,700) in one day — without the proper checks and balances will heap further pressure on the embattled Star Entertainment Group.
The group faces a possible A$400 million (US$264 million) fine after Australia’s financial crimes watchdog, AUSTRAC, asked the court to impose a penalty over alleged anti-money laundering failures.
Star’s Sydney license has been suspended since 2022, when a regulatory inquiry concluded it had allowed itself to be used by criminal gangs to launder money in private high-roller junket rooms, although the casino’s gambling operations have been allowed to remain running during that time.
Phan held Platinum Club membership, Star’s second-highest tier, which affords members access to “Sovereign”, described as Australia’s largest private gaming room.
It is alleged Phan laundered the funds at the casino over a relatively short period before her arrest last month. However, prosecutors have not confirmed whether this occurred after regulatory action against Star began in 2022. The casino did not formally ban her until after her arrest last month.
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