Polling – Whistleblowers – 24 April 2025
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,009 Australians about their attitudes to Australian whistleblowers. The survey was developed in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre and Whistleblower Justice Fund. Results are detailed in this article.
https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-whistleblowers-2/
Aussie couple loses $170,000 house deposit over to two-letter error: ‘Changed everyone’s lives’ – 25 April 2025
An Australian couple was scammed when they had to send $252,000 to their conveyancer. The scammers used the same colour font, same size font, same names etc. as their conveyancer. The only difference was that “.com” not “.com.au” was used. The couple are frustrated that the ANZ bank teller failed to realise that the account name did not match the details they had provided. Victoria Police are now investigating and have spoken with the alleged “money mule” – a Melbourne man whose account received the funds.
WorkSafe ACT investigation finds life-threatening work conditions for nurses after ‘serious’ assaults – 28 April 2025
WorkSafe ACT issued safety notices to Canberra Health Services over home visit assaults, citing risk of death. Healthcare unions say nurses are sometimes met with axes, machetes, knives and guns during in home visits. The safety notices have been lifted after CHS implemented the necessary safety procedures.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/nurse-safety-home-health-assaults/105216758
How AI is being used to create sophisticated scams that leave even experts second-guessing – 28 April 2025
Scams are not a new problem or new issue … but what is different is the way people conduct the scam, especially in the last few years, where we’ve seen the use of AI. Now using AI, everyone can be a developer to create a website, to write a company policy … to generate images … and even to create fake financial reports. Making it very difficult for the general public to verify whether something they saw online was real or fake.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/scammers-using-ai-produce-sophisticated-scams/105150946
Trial begins for man accused of murdering housemate for financial gain, keeping her body in a toolbox – 28 April 2025
Yang Zhao who has been accused of murder, impersonated his dead housemate for financial gain, a court has been told. Police alleged Mr Zhao killed Ms Yan by “a blow or a number of blows to the head”, followed by strangulation. He then allegedly accessed her phone and bank accounts, transferring himself hundreds of thousands of dollars while also convincing friends and family that Ms Yan was still alive.
Banking passwords stolen from Australians are being traded online by cybercriminals – 29 April 2025
An investigation by cyber intelligence researchers has shown credentials belonging to at least 14,000 Commbank customers, 7,000 ANZ customers, 5,000 NAB and 4,000 Westpac customers are available on the messaging platform Telegram and the dark web. The Australian firm Dvuln, which made the discovery, said the passwords were stolen directly from users’ devices, which had been infected with a type of malware known as an “infostealer”.
Court orders handover of suitcase full of cash seized from NDIS developer – 29 April 2025
A suitcase full of cash seized during a raid on the house of failed NDIS property developer David McWilliams, will be handed over to the administrator of the ALAMMC group of companies, as BDO closes in on more of the group’s assets.
Access to digital version of The Australian required to read article
Victoria Police promised no more ‘special treatment’ for abusive cops. Three years on, victims feel betrayed – 29 April 2025
New data shows 28 Victoria Police officers were charged with serious family violence offences in the four years to 2024, though many had their matter withdrawn and just four were convicted. Victim advocates say the data shows the force has an “ongoing problem” with abusers in police ranks and a “persistent culture of impunity”. Experts say, Victoria’s police oversight system must urgently be overhauled to ensure all complaints against police are independently investigated.
Former Jumpstart childcare operator Thomas Fanous banned from NDIS following ABC investigation – 29 April 2025
Thomas Fanous operated NSW childcare provider Jumpstart, which was prosecuted for neglect and shut down in 2022.
Mr Fanous then established an NDIS business, but the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has now banned him from the scheme. A NSW parliamentary committee has called an inquiry into the childcare sector in the wake of the ABC’s investigation.
Fifth Charged in Multimillion Ghost Cars Fraud – 1 May 2025
Financial Crimes Squad detectives have charged a fifth man for his alleged role in a multimillion-dollar financing fraud using ‘ghost cars’ to target a Sydney automotive group. The investigation found that the syndicate was allegedly using the stolen personal information of more than 33 people to apply for loans through various financial companies to purchase luxury ‘ghost cars’ that did not exist. The total funds stolen through the alleged fraud are estimated to be $10 million.
https://www.miragenews.com/fifth-charged-in-multimillion-ghost-cars-fraud-1452759/
NT Police Force seek community action to take advantage of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy – 1 May 2025
The Northern Territory Police Force, in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, is embracing innovative technology to help solve long-standing missing persons cases. Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) combines DNA testing with genealogy research to offer fresh hope for cases that have remained unsolved for years, particularly those of unidentified human remains.
Australia’s largest superannuation fund targeted in finance scam – 1 May 2025
Australia’s largest superannuation fund is warning they are the victim of another cyber scam, one month after being caught up in a coordinated cybersecurity attack that affected most of the industry. An email, purporting to be from Australian Super titled ‘Insurance Transfer Request’, asks recipients to confirm a “request to process your insurance transfer to an alternative Australian Super account”. Another example of how scammers try to convince people to hand over sensitive information.
