12 stories this week:
Class action filed as Apple and Google are accused of breaching legislation – 22 Feburary 2024
Millions of Australians are unknowingly taking on Apple and Google in a massive class action beginning next month. The tech giants are accused of breaching Australian Consumer Law, by forcing app developers to use their payment systems, in turn leading to higher prices for apps by consumers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNmLh8Fok0
‘Uncontrollable’: We’re facing a scams ‘epidemic’, and this is what’s driving it – 22 Feburary 2024
Artificial intelligence is fuelling an epidemic of online financial scams, cyber security experts warn. In 2022, Australians lost more than $3 billion to scams – $377 million involving fraudulent investment schemes. The warning comes alongside an AAP FactCheck investigation into cryptocurrency scams targeting the Pacific Islands.
The AFP could learn a lesson from Oregon about engaging the public on surveillance technologies – 22 Feburary 2024
The investigation of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and its misuse of Auror, a digital surveillance platform collecting and flagging data about criminal suspects, reveals a disturbing pattern of privacy violations. Article explains how in Portland, Oregon they embraced public engagement, getting those impacted involved, and rebuilt trust as a solution.
GST registration to become “slower and potentially more difficult” after $2 billion fraud – 22 Feburary 2024
The wave of fake ABN and GST registrations resulted in $2 million worth of brazen fraud. ATO has consequently changed its approach to ABN and GST signups, to the detriment of small businesses doing the right thing. The ATO has also identified nine current contractors and three current employees as participants in the fraud.
Coles, Woolworths Profit from High-Tech Surveillance Control – 23 Feburary 2024
Australian Council of Trade Unions and the ACCC have found that Coles and Woolworths have engaged in unfair pricing practices. An ongoing Senate inquiry into food prices is now looking at how these practices are linked to inflation; and the ACCC has just begun a government-directed inquiry into potentially anti-competitive behaviour in Australia’s supermarkets. Furthermore, Coles and Woolworths are both implementing technologies that treat the supermarket as a “problem space” in which workers are controlled, customers are tracked and profits are boosted.
https://www.miragenews.com/coles-woolworths-profit-from-high-tech-1179723/
Australia: Australian Corporate Crime And Investigations Outlook 2024 – 27 Feburary 2024
This article explores new corporate crime and investigations issues to watch in 2024. Environmental, social and governance is highlighted and we can expect to continue to see companies exposed to regulatory and enforcement scrutiny, where there has been an inadequate appreciation of corporate crime expectations, within the risk environment.
https://www.mondaq.com/australia/corporate-crime/1429572/australian-corporate-crime-and-investigations-outlook-2024
Crypto king’s passport seized over $50m collapse – 28 Feburary 2024
The Chinese director of Blockchain Global has been banned from leaving Australia, while a criminal investigation looks into the $50m collapse of the firm.
Access to digital version of the Australian required to read article
AI deepfake scams surge with celebrity voice cloning on social media – 28 Feburary 2024
Advanced AI technology has increased the frequency of celebrity deepfake scams, particularly audio scams on popular social media platforms such as Facebook. These scams use voice cloning technology to replicate the tone and speech patterns of notable celebrities, including Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Elon Musk, and YouTube star Mr. Beast.
Police bust alleged Gold Coast-based ‘boiler room’ investment fraud ring – 29 Feburary 2024
Police have charged five people allegedly behind an investment fraud operation, which claimed $3 million from at least 300 victims. A 60-year-old woman has been charged with money laundering, fraud, and personation in general – falsely represent, while two men, have been charged with one count each of money laundering and fraud.
Unnamed ‘traitor’ politician cultivated by spies puts loyalty of all politicians in question, says former treasurer – 29 Feburary 2024
Australian intelligence has revealed a retired politician was recruited by an international spy ring, and in one plot attempted to introduce a prime minister’s family to their foreign handlers. Former treasurer Joe Hockey says every politician will be questioned as a traitor, until the politician recruited by spies is named.
Facebook Marketplace has become the home of scammers. The problem may be getting worse – 1 March 2024
Facebook Marketplace dominates reports of online buying scams and the problem appears to be getting worse. NAB reports of “buying and selling” scams increased 78 per cent in the final quarter of 2023, with most of these reports involving social media or an online marketplace. The Australian government is preparing a mandatory code that would require digital platforms to do more to block scammers and scam listings.
Fraud-accused arrested for allegedly claiming $16,000 in River Murray flood recovery funding – 1 March 2024
A 47-year-old woman allegedly submitted false applications involving two flood relief grants in December 2022 and March 2023. She was arrested in Encounter Bay last month and charged with fraud offences. Police and government authorities will assess other applications for potential fraudulence.
