C.F Frost 
A former Liberal Party staffer who allegedly stole $13.5 million from the life savings of more than 80 people has been handed an additional 51 charges.
Adam Jones, 31, was arrested at a public library in Green Square, Sydney, in February after cybercrime detectives closed in on the alleged systematic identity takeover.
His alleged victims ranged from companies to “mums and dads”, police said in February.
Mr Jones allegedly unlocked accounts within the biggest banks, superannuation funds, telcos and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Police say he used the stolen and forged personal details to modify the payroll data, superannuation details and credit card records of victims across Australia.
With such details he allegedly redirected invoices or payroll payments to his own accounts. In other cases he allegedly consolidated legitimate super funds into new funds he had created, purporting to be those of the victim.
He allegedly used the money to fund his lifestyle, including six overseas holidays, sports betting and groceries.
At the time of his arrest, Mr Jones was charged with 24 offences and the alleged fraud was valued at $11 million.
On Thursday, Central Local Court heard he would be hit with another 51 charges, including dealing with identity information to commit an indictable offence and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The court heard there was a “complexity” to the case, which involved a number of different agencies.
Mr Jones did not apply for bail, which was formally refused.
Police allege he obtained a further $2.5 million between 2016 and 2020, taking the total value of the fraud to $13.5 million.
During a search warrant at his Erskineville home earlier this year, police allegedly discovered more than 100 digital document folders, all of which bore the names of individuals and businesses.
They contained documents, such as passports, tax returns, addresses, Medicare claims, pay slips and high-value super funds.
Mr Jones often visited his local post office in Sydney’s inner west to allegedly lodge false paperwork required to make changes to superannuation funds.
Many victims of the alleged identity theft did not know their details had been compromised, while others might still not know. It is alleged a small number of victims lost their entire savings.
Police are examining how Mr Jones allegedly obtained the stolen details, which are commonly traded on the dark web.
Mr Jones is a former South Australian state Liberal Party media and policy adviser. Police allege he was “self-taught” in his understanding of cybertechnology.
He previously worked as an unpaid fitness intern at the NSW Institute of Sport.
Earlier this year it was revealed some of the methods allegedly used by Mr Jones, such as Photoshopping photographs and forging signatures of justices of the peace.
In February, investigators in South Australia also arrested a 32-year-old man and 28-year-old woman in connection with the alleged scheme. The pair were charged and remain before the courts.
Mr Jones is next scheduled to appear at Central Local Court on July 23.
