A man has been arrested over an alleged money laundering attempt after staff kicked him out of Crown Melbourne's casino.
The 45-year-old Chinese national was on Friday spotted attempting to cash in a significant amount of Australian currency he was carrying in plastic bags at the casino.
Crown Melbourne staff called police about the man's suspicious behaviour and asked him to leave, before he was again spotted on Sunday and arrested by investigators.
Police raided a nearby hotel where the man was staying and found a significant amount of cash.
Officers interviewed the man about proceeds of crime offences and released him without charge pending further inquiries.
The investigation into the 45-year-old was ongoing, Victoria Police said.
“It’s crucial that when any kind of suspicious activity like this is witnessed or suspected that the information is provided to police," Detective Inspector Jennifer Locke said.
"This helps law enforcement proactively target those involved in money laundering and follow dirty money as soon as possible.
“Police value the efforts of entertainment venues and licensed premises including Crown to target suspected money laundering.”
Crown has agreed to pay a $450 million fine in a lawsuit brought by AUSTRAC for "egregious" breaches of anti-money laundering laws.
The gaming giant admitted it failed to properly track and report suspicious transactions at its Melbourne and Perth casinos to prevent possible money laundering by criminal gangs, drug dealers and terrorists.
From March 2016 to March 2022, Crown failed to properly monitor about 550 high-risk customers.
The Federal Court heard money was given to the casinos in suitcases and paper bags or was shifted between accounts from overseas junket operators, who did not conduct the necessary checks as to whether the funds were legitimate.
Crown Melbourne chief executive Mike Volkert said the casino was fully committed to partnering with law enforcement agencies and AUSTRAC in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious financial crime.
"We were pleased to assist Victoria Police in this matter, helping to identify persons of interest, provide insight into money laundering techniques, and through ongoing support with the investigation," he said in a statement.
"There is no place for money laundering or terrorism financing at Crown or in our communities."
Anyone with information about suspected money laundering has been urged to contact Victoria Police.
