Name: Fortune teller and daughter accused of $70M fraud syndicate
Uploaded: 2025-11-13T06:14:45.514Z
Duration: 2 min 8 s
Description: A self-proclaimed fortune-teller and feng shui master who allegedly orchestrated a highly sophisticated $70m money-laundering syndicate across Sydney has been charged.

A self-proclaimed fortune-teller and feng shui master who allegedly orchestrated a highly sophisticated $70m money-laundering syndicate across Sydney has been charged.

Dover Heights

Police in Sydney have arrested 53-year-old fortune teller Anya Phan and her 25-year-old daughter Maile Ta, alleging their involvement in a complex fraud and money laundering syndicate. Authorities claim Phan, a self-described feng shui master, preyed on vulnerable Vietnamese clients, encouraging them to take out loans with promises of future wealth and then taking a cut for herself.

Investigators allege the syndicate defrauded multiple banks of $70 million, with at least $1.5 million pocketed by Phan and $500,000 laundered through casinos in two months. Police have seized luxury items and continue to investigate, estimating half of the syndicate has been identified, with further arrests and charges expected. Both Phan and Ta are due to appear in court in January.

Fortune teller and daughter accused of $70M fraud syndicate

Police! Some fraud! Open the door! Under arrest, a fortune teller who didn't see it coming, 53-year-old Anya Phan is accused of recruiting mules into a highly sophisticated fraud and money laundering syndicate, including her own daughter, 25-year-old Maile Ta. She's a high roller and very influential amongst her community. Phan, never employed and a disability payments recipient for 20 years, is a self-proclaimed feng shui master charged with 39 offences after allegedly preying on her Vietnamese clients' vulnerability. She predicted that a billionaire would come to their future and by doing a loan, that will happen sooner rather than later. Each time allegedly taking a cut for herself, pocketing 1.5 million of the 70 defrauded from multiple banks. Police claim the cash then cleaned through casinos, at least half a million in two months alone. Ta also slapped with seven charges. Mainly fraud in relation to the purchase of a $5.3 million apartment in Rose Bay. Strikeforce Middleton scaled their Dover Heights home yesterday morning, seizing a $10,000 gold bar, luxury handbags and $6,500 in casino chips. The bust just days after detectives took down the so-called penthouse syndicates. Allegedly corrupt bank manager and man on the inside, Timothy Asunkar. Authorities say the alleged ringleader met with and had his fortune told by Phan a couple of years ago. She then took over as the syndicate head while he's before the courts. Police say they've made several arrests with charges pending as they continue to uncover just how far this scheme goes. Let me predict the future of this criminal syndicate. We have at least 50% that we have identified. There's at least another 50% to go. Phan today didn't apply for bail. She'll front court again with her daughter in January. Olivia Blunden, 10 News.

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