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Money Laundering & Stolen Property

Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime offences in Perth and WA

Being investigated or charged with money laundering or proceeds of crime offences in Perth or elsewhere in Western Australia can have serious consequences, including imprisonment, asset confiscation, and significant financial penalties. These allegations often arise from drug investigations, fraud allegations, organised crime investigations, or unexplained wealth inquiries. Early advice from an experienced Perth criminal defence lawyer is essential to protecting your rights and challenging the prosecution case.

The prosecution must prove that the property was in fact derived from criminal activity, and that the accused intended to conceal or disguise its origin.

Dealing with Proceeds of Crime charge in Western Australia

It is a serious criminal offence in Western Australia to handle money or property that comes from a crime. This includes situations where a person:

  • Takes part in a transaction involving money or property that is the proceeds of an offence; or
  • Brings into WA, receives, holds, hides, disposes of, or otherwise deals with money or property that came from criminal activity.

Even if the money is deposited in a bank account, given away, or exchanged for something else, it is still treated as the proceeds of crime.

Maximum penalty: up to 20 years in prison.

Charges for Dealing with Property Connected to Criminal Offending

It is also a crime to deal with money or property that is being used, or is intended to be used, to commit a criminal offence. A person can be charged even if:

  • They did not take part in the actual offence;
  • The main offence has not yet been committed;
  • No one else has been charged or identified.

Maximum penalty: up to 20 years in prison.

Defences

It is a defence if you can show that:

  • You didn’t know, believe, or have any reason to suspect that the money or property was connected to a crime; or
  • Your actions were done to help law enforcement (for example, assisting police or another government agency).

While less commonly charged than possession offences, money laundering carries serious penalties and often involves complex financial evidence. Having skilled legal representation is essential to challenge the prosecution’s case and protect your rights.

Receiving Stolen Property and Possessing Unlawfully Obtained Property

During investigations, police often seize money or property that they believe may be stolen or unlawfully obtained. This can happen, for example, where cash or valuables are found during a search in connection with another suspected offence (such as drug-related activity).

If the police form a reasonable suspicion that the property is stolen or unlawfully obtained, you may be charged even if the prosecution cannot prove the property actually came from a crime.

It is a defence if you can show that, at the time, you had no reasonable grounds to suspect that the money or property was stolen or unlawfully obtained.

If the police can prove where that the property was stolen, you may be charged with receiving stolen property. This charge is more difficult to prove than the offence of possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property.

Because these cases often depend on the circumstances of possession and your explanation to police, early legal advice is critical.

How our Perth criminal lawyers can help

Our Perth criminal defence lawyers regularly represent clients charged with money laundering, proceeds of crime offences, receiving stolen property, financial crime, and dishonesty-related allegations throughout Western Australia. We appear in the Magistrates Court and District Court defending complex financial investigations involving bank records, seized cash, electronic evidence, and forensic accounting material.

At Perrella Legal, we provide clear advice and strategic defence tailored to your circumstances. We can assist by:

  • Reviewing the evidence and police procedures;
  • Advising on potential defences and mitigating factors;
  • Engaging expert witnesses (such as forensic accountants, where appropriate);
  • Negotiating with prosecutors for charge reductions or alternative outcomes; and
  • Representing you in Court at every stage of the process.

Dishonesty allegations can have lasting consequences for your reputation, career, and freedom. You don’t have to face them alone.

Contact Perrella Legal today for a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defence lawyer in Perth.

Recent Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

This offence applies when police reasonably suspect that money or property in your possession was stolen or unlawfully obtained. Importantly, the prosecution does not need to prove the property was actually stolen — only that police held a reasonable suspicion at the time.

Receiving stolen property is a more serious charge and requires the prosecution to prove that:

  • The property was in fact stolen, and

You received or dealt with it knowing (or believing) it was stolen.
Because it needs proof of the property’s criminal origin, it is usually harder for the prosecution to establish than a possession charge.

Yes. You can be charged with dishonest possession or receiving even if you had no involvement in the original theft, if police believe you knowingly possessed or dealt with stolen property.

That may be a defence. You are not guilty if you can show that, at the time you had the property, you had no reasonable grounds to suspect it was stolen or unlawfully obtained.
These cases often turn on your explanation and the surrounding circumstances.

Common examples include when police find cash or valuables:

  • During a search linked to another suspected offence (like drugs);
  • Inside a vehicle or home;
  • In your possession during an arrest; or
  • In circumstances where ownership can’t be explained clearly.

Money laundering involves dealing with money or assets that are alleged to be proceeds of crime, such as drugs, fraud, or corruption, with the intent to conceal or disguise their origin.

It includes a wide range of conduct, such as:

  • Receiving or holding money linked to a crime;
  • Depositing it into an account;
  • Transferring it to someone else;
  • Buying property with it;
  • Hiding or moving it; or

Any transaction involving the suspected proceeds.
Even indirect involvement can be enough for a charge.

For money laundering offences, yes. The prosecution must prove the property was actually derived from criminal activity, not just suspected to be.

This offence covers handling property that is being used, or intended to be used, to commit a crime.
You can be charged even if:

  • You weren’t involved in the main offence;
  • The offence hasn’t happened yet; or
  • No one else has been identified or charged.

Money laundering and related proceeds-of-crime offences are extremely serious.
The maximum penalty is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the value and circumstances.

Defences may include proving that:

  • You did not know and had no reason to suspect the money or property was crime-related; or

Your conduct was to assist law enforcement (for example, acting under direction).
Financial evidence is often complex, so expert review can be critical.

Do not make statements or guesses to police without advice. Your explanation can heavily influence whether charges are laid.
Contact Perrella Legal early so we can guide you and protect your position.

Yes. Many cases fall apart if police suspicion wasn’t reasonable or if there is no proof you knew (or should have known) the property was linked to crime.
We regularly negotiate for withdrawal or reduction where the evidence is weak or overstated.

We can:

  • Review police procedures and seizure evidence;
  • Identify legal defences and factual weaknesses;
  • Engage forensic accountants where needed;
  • Negotiate with prosecutors for better outcomes; and
  • Represent you confidently in court.

Contact Perrella Legal today for confidential advice from an experienced dishonest possession and money laundering lawyer in Perth.

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