The Corruption and Crime Commission has achieved another successful outcome today, confiscating approximately AUD $650,000 in Supreme Court unexplained wealth proceedings.

The confiscated funds will be used by the State Government for purposes such as a grants program to prevent crime and to assist victims of crime in Western Australia.

The result follows a two-year Commission investigation into whether Mujtaba Ibn Abdul-Aziz (formerly known as Moshtaba Noor), or his associates, had unexplained wealth or criminal benefits arising from interests in a nightclub in Northbridge.

The Commission had Mr Abdul-Aziz's assets frozen in December 2020 while its investigation and litigation took place. Funds were frozen just days before the money was due to be sent to a relative of Mr Abdul-Aziz in Colombia.

The investigation was wide ranging. It looked into money used by two of Mr Abdul-Aziz's companies to invest in a Northbridge nightclub business and land. 

Under the Commission's unexplained wealth powers, the onus was on Mr Abdul-Aziz to justify the legitimacy of his financial interests in a nightclub in Northbridge. He was not able to adequately do so. 

The Commission is able to use the full range of its capabilities in investigating unexplained wealth including utilising its coercive powers and obtaining court orders. In some instances, its investigations have local, national and international elements, all which must be pursued.

Unexplained wealth is an important part of the Commission's 'crime function', with its primary objective being to assist in the fight against organised crime and corruption by removing the primary motivation - financial gain.

Since the Commission took on responsibilities for unexplained wealth it has been investigating 13 complex and lengthy matters, with four being resolved by way of Supreme Court declarations and confiscation orders.

The Commission is committed to this important function of its work and is looking forward to expanding its unexplained wealth team and capabilities over the next few months.