In a development that will surprise absolutely no one who has ever waited three weeks for a parcel, an Australia Post worker has been jailed for stealing dozens of bank cards from the mail to fund what the court described as a "debilitating" gambling addiction. Mauro Paul Coluzzi, 57, was sentenced to prison until December 2027 after leading two criminal syndicates that used stolen plastic to defraud customers and their banks of more than $100,000 over 15 months.

The disgraced postie, who had an unblemished record since 2007, worked Sydney's eastern suburbs, where he pilfered cards from secure mail on his beat. He personally pocketed nearly $30,000 in cash and goods, including two 24-carat gold bracelets purchased just 12 hours before his arrest. Because nothing says "I have a problem" quite like buying gold jewellery with someone else's Visa.

Coluzzi's family members broke down in court as Judge Jillian Kiely handed down the sentence, finding that prison time was a must because he had reduced community confidence in the reliability of the postal service. "(Cards) were stolen from the post which was a significant breach of trust … to safely deliver these items to customers," Kiely said in Sydney's Sutherland local court on Thursday.

The court heard Coluzzi began looking for new ways to fund his gambling addiction in early 2024. "I hope they all work, I need money bro," he told one co-offender. "I'm fucked bro, I gotta pay my credit card." By the end of the scheme, he was worried about changes to Australia Post procedures that would stop him from accessing new cards. "It's only gonna be parcels bro, and I can't fucking touch parcels," he lamented to an unnamed person.

Over the 15-month spree, Coluzzi and two co-conspirators systematically stole dozens of cards and racked up more than $100,000 in cash and fraudulent purchases. The haul included perfume, a night out in Darling Harbour, scented candles, more than a dozen phones and tablets, thousands of cigarettes, phone recharge cards, groceries and Roblox gift cards. Because if you're going to commit mail fraud, you might as well get some scented candles out of it.

Australia Post has zero tolerance for illegal activity in its network, a spokesperson said. "We worked very closely with NSW Police throughout their investigation and continually review systems and processes to strengthen the security of our operations." Coluzzi is estimated to have gambled millions of dollars throughout his life, and the excessive losses put repeated strain on his marriage, Kiely said.

His barrister, Troy Edwards SC, argued a community sentence would be appropriate for the 57-year-old. But Kiely said the offending was too serious for any sentence but jail. As Coluzzi was led away by sheriff's officers, a member of his family collapsed and had to be assisted from the court. He will be eligible for parole in December 2027.