A specialist arm of New South Wales’ Financial Crime Squad (FCS), set up in September to investigate a Sydney solicitor after receiving a tip-off he was committing gambling-linked fraud, has got its man.
dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception”
Strike Force Salbrook detectives arrested Benjamin Paul Reid, 45, on Thursday morning, charging the Bondi Junction law firm attorney with four counts of “dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.”
FSC Commander, Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, stated in a press release that Reid allegedly stole AU$14.8m ($10.5m) from business and trust funds, using the stolen cash for online gambling.
The FSC chief said the lawyer would place a minimum of 30 bets daily across four separate betting sites with his wagers ranging from AU$2,000( $1,420) to AU$5,000 ($3,531).
Reid’s arrest comes after investigating Strike Force Salbrook detectives discovered incidents of fraud he committed between April 2023 and February 2025.
Superintendent Arbinja praised the tip-off from the NSW Law Society, stating it was “instrumental in allowing detectives to uncover the full extent of the alleged offending and ensure the matter is now before the court.”
The police boss added that: “Solicitors hold a position of immense trust within our community, and the alleged conduct identified by Strike Force Salbrook is deeply concerning.” Arbinja said the FSC was committed to “ensuring individuals who abuse positions of trust are held accountable.”
