Postie Accused of $1.4 Million Crime Spree

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A Sydney postal worker is at the centre of a bizarre alleged fraud case, accused of stealing dozens of bank cards straight out of the mail and helping fuel a $1.4 million spending spree.

Police say 56-year-old Mauro Paul Coluzzi pinched bank cards sent to homes in Edgecliff, Woollahra and Double Bay and passed them on to two organised crime groups. In total, 62 people’s cards were allegedly compromised — with hundreds of fraud offences flowing from the scheme.

Court documents reveal some of the unusual ways the cards were used. There was a tech splurge — more than $34,600 on Apple products including 12 iPhones, four Apple Watches, a MacBook and AirPods. Another $4,500 went into gift cards, including one for the online game Roblox.

But it didn’t stop there. Police allege the stolen funds also went toward roses, punnets of strawberries, an air fryer, Mecca beauty products and even a Square payment terminal. Tobacco was also a favourite, with $6,000 allegedly spent in just five days.

Still, cash withdrawals were the big-ticket item. More than $54,000 in cash was pulled from ATMs across Sydney over 11 months.

Coluzzi was arrested last month after a nine-month investigation. He’s facing two counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage, one count of attempting to do the same, and police say there are at least 143 other fraud offences linked to him.

He was granted bail under strict conditions, including what’s essentially home detention and a massive $400,000 surety. But because that money hasn’t yet been put forward, he remains in custody. His lawyer told the court she’s hopeful it’ll be sorted within days.

Coluzzi’s case has been adjourned until September 25, when he’ll need to enter pleas to 145 charges. He’s also accused of being part of a criminal group alongside Ashish Tamrakar, 35, and Ibrahim Abbas, 27. Both men are also before the courts, facing dozens of fraud-related offences of their own.

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