Wapu Sonk stands down from PNG NRL franchise board amid corruption allegations – 18 July 2025
A director of PNG’s new NRL franchise has stood down after it was revealed he allegedly tried to influence a Chinese state-run corporation to give a contract to his company. Wapu Sonk has not publicly commented on the allegations. PNG Prime Minister James Marape said Mr Sonk was “entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-18/wapu-sonk-stand-down-png-nrl-corruption-allegations/105547490
Cambodian elites complicit in cybercrime despite latest government crackdown, experts warn – 18 July 2025
Cambodian authorities have launched a crackdown on cybercrime making more than 1,000 arrests in the past week.
Police raided cybercrime compounds across at least five provinces and arrested people from across Asia. A transnational crime expert says the operation was a performative exercise and there is no evidence the government is serious about tackling the illicit industry.
Malaysian fugitive Jho Low allegedly using fake Australian passport while living in China – 20 July 2025
Investigative reporters responsible for exposing the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal say they have located the alleged mastermind in China. Jho Low is reportedly using a forged Australian passport. The federal government says use of a false Australian passport can attract a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $330,000 fine.
Cyber security expert outlines the scams Qantas customers can expect after data breach – 21 July 2025
A cyber security expert has warned Qantas customers are still in danger of sophisticated financial scams even though no credit card or passport information was compromised in the recent data leak. Qantas admitted 5.7 million passenger details were stolen in a data breach on June 30 from a call centre in Manila. The airline has been open and transparent about the breach and detailed the broke down the information that was taken including names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and Frequent Flyer numbers.
Dodgy operators put on notice as AUSTRAC targets new tranche of industries for financial crimes – 22 July 2025
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has outlined new plans to reduce the harms from serious financial crime, and says it is turning its focus to a renewed push on enforcement. AUSTRAC has released its regulatory priorities for the 2025-26 financial year, showing it is preparing to regulate “tranche 2” industries and targeting gaps in high-risk sectors such as cash and digital currencies. Tranche 2 includes real estate agents, lawyers, conveyancers, accountants, trust and company service providers, dealers in precious metals and stones, and other designated service providers. It refers to a set of proposed reforms that will extend Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations.
Inside Employment podcast series – Investigations, Part 1 – What’s the fuss with whistleblowing investigations? – 22 July 2025
In part one of this podcast the technical and legal dimensions of workplace investigations are discussed, with a spotlight on whistleblowing. Together, Tony Wood and Lucy Boyd explore how clients can navigate the complexities of internal complaints, regulatory obligations and reputational risks. They spend time discussing the overall trend towards greater transparency, for example through positive duty obligations and shareholder activism, and how this is reshaping how organisations respond to complaints and how they conduct investigations.
Banks, mules and government fools let scammers run free in Australia – 22 July 2025
Dr Kim Sawyer explains in this article that behind every scam that robs Australians blind, is a system that protects the banks, ignores the victims and enables the crime. Australia has been a soft target due to retirees with superannuation. Australia has also been a soft target because regulators were too slow to act and banks were unwilling to share liability. All that the international crime syndicates needed were middlemen within Australia to set up companies to launder the money and mules with accounts to be used for money laundering, and a system that protected them.
Reform of Australia’s electronic surveillance framework – 22 July 2025
Australia’s laws governing electronic surveillance are undergoing major reform. The reform aims to establish clear laws to enable law enforcement and intelligence agencies to access information in response to serious crime and threats to national security. The laws will:
• protect privacy;
• promote transparency; and
• be explicit for agencies, oversight bodies, industry and the public.
Macquarie Group-backed ATM provider begins removing machines from suspected illegal tobacco stores – 24 July 2025
An ABC investigation found ATM companies were cutting deals with tobacco criminals and installing their machines in illegal cigarette shops. Now Macquarie Group-backed Next Payments is removing more than 40 of its machines from suspected illegal tobacco stores, after the company said it had not previously been aware of the extent of the issue. The company’s CEO said the ABC had highlighted the “size and rapid spread” of the issue.
Tearful ICAC witness recalls ‘very improper’ meeting with transport official – 24 July 2025
A traffic controller has told the corruption watchdog he would pass kickbacks “under the table” at a Western Sydney restaurant. The kickbacks would eventually see a government worker allegedly net more than $11 million over 15 years. Subject of the inquiry, Transport for NSW staffer Ibrahim Helmy, is missing and wanted on a warrant to appear before the commissioner.
FCA maintains its focus on non-financial misconduct – 25 July 2025
The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) says that serious non-financial misconduct (NFM) such as bullying, harassment and violence is a matter of regulatory concern, not just for banks, but for all regulated financial services firms and their staff. With the long awaited release of a policy statement and a further consultation opens in a new tab on “tackling non-financial misconduct in financial services”, the FCA has re-emphasised its expectation of financial services firms to foster healthy and inclusive workplace cultures that empower staff to speak up and raise concerns.
