A Unanderra mother has admitted to running a fraud business where she stole people's identities and offered to create or alter documents for her clients.
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Jade Killin, 33, pleaded guilty to 35 of 278 fraud and dishonesty charges in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.
Killin's offending included her creating fake identification documents for people as well as stealing the identities of more than 780 people.
In 2018 and 2019, Killin used the identities of dozens of different people to purchase the latest Apple products and apply for loans, credit cards and lines of credit from banking institutions, loan companies and financial lenders.
An agreed set of facts tendered to court showed the extent of Killin's fraud, which she turned into a full-time job, including her agreeing to make an associate a forged driver's licence.
"Do you reckon you have a mugshot that looks like me in your database?" the client asked.
"Hmm I would have to look but I can ... just take a photo. Or I can take a photo of [your] licence and just change the details on that," Killin replied.
"I kinda don't want my actual head on there for certain reasons ... just try to find a mugshot of a 30-year-old bloke that kinda looks like me," the client replied
"Yeah," Killin said before her client responded with, "OK not gonna rush you but sooner the better if it all works out, I will throw you a hunji for doing it."
On another occasion in October 2019, Killin set up an online customer account with Unicard Systems in the name of Corrimal Bowling Club where she placed an order for an ID card printer valued at $11,088 which she had delivered to her house.
She said she was Karen Bella Mitchell, an employee of the club, however the order was cancelled by Unicard Systems before police were notified and contacted the club.
The manager advised there was no employee by that name and the club had not bought an ID printer.
Killin also used her ex-boyfriend's authorised mechanic login to hack into the Roads and Maritime Service and produce e-safety slips and modify defect notices.
She sent a message to a friend asking, "need to make cash fast today, know anyone who needs pink slips or defects cleared. $50 for unseen pinks, and $100 for defect clearance."
Killin came under notice of police in 2019 and her house was raided on November 11 where officers found 50 identification cards including drivers licences, Medicare cards and banks cards in various names, as well as drugs, a laptop, phones and USB storage devices concealed in baby powder.
Written on a mirror in Killin's bedroom was the phrase "fraud is not a crime its way of life" and posted on the wall above her bed was her schedule of weekly fraudulent activity.
"Monday: try to do 2 payslips each of 10 names then do a 30-day statement and a 90-statement each for 5 names," the note read.
"Tuesday: devices day, place 5 orders with different names with all carriers.
"Wednesday: accounts day, open accounts for 5 names, banks, Paypal, Afterpay, etc.
"Thursday and Friday: uni days.
"Saturday: apply for fuel cards in 5 different names with all carriers.
"Sunday: apply for 5 loans using different names, complete any research on new companies and credit options."
Killin had notes about when new Apple iPhones were available for order and the price of them as well as a list of post offices and banking instructions.
Another piece of paper had the ID requirements for credit card applications, fuel card applications, car loans and phone devices.
Police arrested and charged Killin for being in possession of the identification cards and for other fraud offences relating to forged medical certificates and identified victims.
After examining Killin's laptop and mobile phone, police concluded "she was involved in large scale identity takeover/fraud offences."
"Evidence was also found that establishes the offender was involved in drug supply, production of forged documents and unauthorised RMS e-safety checks."
Police found more than 40 photographs of new Apple iPhone and iPads in boxes as well as photos showing Facebook marketplace advertisements for phones, as well as photos of Killin holding large bundles of cash.
Messages on the phone included potential purchasers seeking phones, associates requesting forged ID documents and medical certificates, requests for pink slips, details of fraudulent transactions at Harvey Norman Warrawong, street level supply of methamphetamine and cannabis, and images of stolen identification documents.
Police found Adobe Photoshop on her laptop which had recently saved forged documents of drivers licences, medical certificates, bank statements and payslips.
Killin had created multiple email accounts for stolen identities. Police noted her accounts were "well orgnaised" with sub-folders for each loan company or telecommunications provider.
Police were able to access correspondence which established Killin had used the stolen identities to obtain loans, open bank accounts, check credit scores, register prepaid mobile phone accounts and order phone and iPad products.
The USB devices had at least 88 images of drivers licences and several Medicare cards which she used to prepare forged documents for her clients.
Killin also had 14 databases which recorded 786 names and identification details of victims of identity theft.
During her sentencing, 191 charges will be taken into consideration while 52 were withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions on Wednesday.
Killin's lawyer Paul Paine said his client wanted to be sentenced as soon as possible as she had a baby while in custody and her child would only be reunited with her once she is sentenced.
The case was adjourned to Wollongong District Court on December 4 for sentencing proceedings.
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