The following are articles relevant to the Professional Investigator. Click on the title to make a comment or join the conversation.
Second developer flew 82 tonnes of medical supplies to China – 26 March 2020
82 tonnes of medical supplies flown to Wuhan, China by the company Risland. All employees, were asked to source whatever medical supplies they could leaving Australia now with severe shortages. The Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton is working on a plan to crack down on hoarders who are profiteering out of COVID-19 as well as giving authorities more powers to be able to seize items at the border including medical supplies.
Police warn over coronavirus scammers targeting job seekers – 25 March 2020
Scammers in QLD are posting legitimate-looking job ads on official jobseeker websites and asking ‘successful’ applicants for personal information to undertake identity theft.
Doctors and nurses exposed, medicines run short, while profiteers run rampant – 24 March 2020
As Australia runs short of critical medicines and life-saving protective gear, article reveals those profiting from the tragedy.
Super funds brace for admin blowout, call on ATO to do more – 24 March 2020
The superannuation industry is bracing for an escalation in demand for services and the potential for identity fraud and fraudsters offering help with superannuation withdrawals in exchange for MyGov Details.
Big Law firm offers technology program for grads – 23 March 2020
Australian Law firm, Clayton Utz, has partnered with a technology company to create a first-time specialised graduate program backed by expertise in forensic technology.
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/newlaw/27785-biglaw-firm-offers-technology-program-for-grads
US Solar recoups $6.9m after falling victim to invoicing fraud – 23 March 2020
US Solar fund recovered the $6.9m it lost when it became victim of an ‘isolated incident’ of construction fraud against Australia’s New Energy Solar Manager.
Money scams rob Australians of millions – 22 March 2020
In 2018-19, Australians lost nearly half-a-billion dollars to scams. The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) have also been trying to stop these scams, although keeping up with the latest technology used by scammers has been an ongoing challenge because many of them originate overseas.
The technology that sent a million to Chinese internment camps is being used here – 20 March 2020
The Australian federal government has plans to roll out an all-pervasive system that will have the ability to link CCTV cameras nationwide with all citizens’ ID photos. Trials to date across the country have shown identification inaccuracies. Civil liberty groups claim there has been no ‘public’ consultation.
Coronavirus scam promises monetary reward for staying home in Australia – 20 March 2020
A fake email that promises to provide a ‘COVID-19 relief’ payment to anyone who chooses to stay at home during the coronavirus crisis is designed to steal people’s bank details.
Opposition demands changes to bribery laws – 19 March 2020
The opposition claims companies could buy their way out of corporate crime penalties under a new federal government proposal.
Australia: The consequences of a poor corporate culture – 19 March 2020
Paper discusses the fundamental importance of ‘Good’ Corporate Governance and culture, as well as who is ultimately liable for misconduct in the financial services industry.
SCAM WARNING: Fake message uses corona to steal bank info – 18 March 2020
Scammers are sending people messages (that look like they come from the Government) with links to find out when to ‘get tested in your geographical area’ for COVID-19. If clicked on, it may install malicious software on devices, designed to steal your banking details.
Israel enables spy power to track people suspected of having coronavirus – 18 March 2020
The Israeli Government has approved emergency measures for its security service to use mobile phone surveillance technology to track data of people to help curb the spread of coronavirus. Anyone in jeopardy would then be notified by text message to self-quarantine. Civil rights groups have criticised the decision as it raises serious privacy issues.
‘Very concerning correlation’: CBA warns against ‘screen scraping’ – 17 March 2020
Screen scraping occurs when a consumer gives their banking user name and password to a third party, such as a fintech firm in order to access their data. CBA has stated that customers who do this, face a greater risk of falling victim to scams or fraud.
Alinta fined after fraudulently signing customers using fake accents – 17 March 2020
Alinta Energy has been fined $280,000 after using sales agents, who fraudulently switched customers to new energy contracts without their consent, including using fake accents to impersonate customers in phone calls.
Shakedowns, blackmail and scams: Fraudsters quick to exploit soft spots in cashless economy – 14 March 2020
Detective Inspector Bowd who leads a 50-strong fraud squad, states that he is running about 40 jobs at any one time. These include drug shakedowns, blackmail & sabotage threats. He tells how crooks have moved from robbing banks to serious organised scams. He also explains how evidence gathering has changed from using court exhibits to using electronic briefs.
Fife scientist who admitted £38,000 fraud facing jail sentence in Australia – 13 March 2020
Professor Suzanne Miller who held two top government posts in Australia is facing jail after admitting carrying out a £38,000 fraud. She misused corporate credit cards and claimed private health insurance when she was not entitled.
Gold Coast man jailed after pleading guilty to property fraud – 13 March 2020
Matthew Michael Nair from QLD has been jailed for forging bank documents to secure $1.8 million in loans for properties and a Porsche.
Hackers are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to scam online shoppers – 13 March
Scammers are taking advantage of shoppers by falsely selling coronavirus products, setting up fake fundraising initiatives or setting up fake websites. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch website has received 31 coronavirus-related reports since January 1.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/03/12/coronavirus-scams/
NAB fraud suspect faces trial over $26.7m – 12 March 2020
Helen Mary Rosamond was committed to stand trial in the District Court in April on 74 fraud and dishonesty charges with an alleged total value of $26.7 million. She was charged alongside Rosemary Rogers, the former chief-of-staff to ex-NAB chief executive Andrew Thorburn, over the alleged fraud scheme which totalled $40 million.
Former Renewal SA boss allegedly used position to secure tens of thousands of dollars in benefits, court documents reveal – 12 March 2020
John Hanlon, a former Renewal SA chief has allegedly falsified travel expense forms, invoices and emails to fraudulently take trips to Berlin and Melbourne worth tens of thousands of dollars.
NBN Co warns Aussies to stay frosty over scams – 11 March 2020
Scammers are ramping up their efforts to steal personal or financial details as the network is set to near completion this year. Automated calls and asking for remote access to devices to “fix issues” are key signs of a scam.
https://www.crn.com.au/news/nbn-co-warns-aussies-to-stay-frosty-over-scams-539184
Millennials most gullible when it comes to a scam – 10 March 2020
Millennials who love using social media are the most vulnerable, when it comes to getting them to fraudulently part with money. According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Australians under 25 lost over $5 million to scams in 2019. Article has some good advice on how not to be scammed.
https://www.channelnews.com.au/millennials-most-gullible-when-it-comes-to-a-scam/
Law reform backdown on corporate crime – 9 March 2020
Legal and business groups plan to revamp the law on making executives criminally liable for any wrongdoing by “rogue employees”. The abandoned proposal sprang from the Hayne royal commission.
Charity World Vision in allegations of corruption and nepotism – 8 March 2020
World Vision has been implicated in a multimillion-dollar corruption scandal that involves AFL stars, a free Bali holiday, nepotism and suspected kickbacks in return for lucrative printing contracts. Victoria Police and auditors KPMG have been called into investigate invoices and emails.
Mildura flying school allegedly funded with embezzled Chinese loans – 7 March 2020
A Chinese businessman linked to a company embroiled in complex fraud allegations, has invested millions into a pilot training academy in Mildura. Concerns are raised that Local councils and state and federal governments should be doing more due diligence, when investors promise to deliver economic windfalls in their communities.
Company ‘never existed’: Former ad agency contractor charged over $1 million fraud – 4 March 2020
Jillian Lynch, a former financial director of a national advertising agency has faced a Sydney court after she allegedly transferred almost $1 million into her own bank accounts. In her role as financial director, police allege she improperly handled payroll, accounts and superannuation for employees and contractors.
Australian police are using the Clearview AI facial recognition system with no accountability – 7 March 2020
Australian police agencies are reportedly using Clearview AI, a private, unaccountable facial recognition service that combines machine learning and wide-ranging data-gathering practices, to identify members of the public from online photographs. The system raises concerns over system’s privacy implications and the legality of the web-scraping used to build the database.
Full Federal Court rips into Deloitte appeal – 3 March 2020
A partner of Deloitte Reuben Saayman, successfully claimed the right against self incrimination , to stop the handing over of audit papers, as part of a landmark class action over the quality of the firm’s audit work, of collapsed construction firm Hastie.
https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/business/14092-full-federal-court-rips-into-deloitte-appeal
Why You Shouldn’t Lie On A Home Loan Application – 3 March 2020
Most people don’t realise that lying on your loan applications is ‘fraud’ and you can be prosecuted. Since the Royal Commission into banking lenders, big banks are now able to see statements from other banks when examining a loan application making it harder than ever to fudge the numbers.
https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2020/03/why-you-shouldnt-lie-on-a-home-loan-application/