Australia Says Biker Gangs Use Tax Fraud to Fund Criminal Acts

Australian authorities have arrested 159 people in a nationwide crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs, alleging in part that the gangs used tax fraud to help fund criminal operations.

Those arrested over the past week on drugs, weapons, and fraud charges include an alleged Hells Angels chapter president in Sydney and other members and associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Taxation Office said Wednesday.

• The ATO said the biker gangs invented fake businesses and fake applications for Australian business numbers, and then submitted fictitious business activity statements in attempts to gain false refunds ...