Senior lawyer apologises after filing AI-generated submissions in Victorian murder case – 15 August 2025
A senior lawyer has apologised to a Victorian judge for filing submissions in a murder case that included AI-generated errors. The fake submissions included fabricated quotes from a speech to the state legislature and non-existent case citations purportedly from the Supreme Court.
The AI-generated errors caused a 24-hour delay in resolving a case.
Fraud claim rocks Smorgon gold mine deal – 18 August 2025
Companies controlled by the powerful Victor Smorgon Group have been accused of running a dishonest and fraudulent scheme to invalidly acquire a stake in an Australian gold mine at a below-market price. The allegations, which have been strongly denied, were filed in the Federal Court by the Smorgon group’s Chinese partners in the Stawell Gold Mine, and reveal a bitter battle for control of the Victorian project at a time of record high gold prices.
https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/fraud-claim-rocks-smorgon-gold-mine-deal-20250814-p5mn1k
Billions lost on US penny stocks as ‘pump-and-dump’ scams multiply – 18 August 2025
Pump-and-dump frauds targeting U.S. listed Chinese microcaps have recently led to staggering investor losses—around $3.7B in just one month. These schemes are amplified by social media manipulation and fake endorsements. Regulatory bodies have been slow to act despite clear signals, while investors—sometimes at great personal loss—are exploited.
Candidate fraud: From hiring hurdle to business threat – 18 August 2025
Recruiting leaders are increasingly concerned about candidates using GenAI tools to deceive employers when they don’t have the right skills or qualifications. Improvements in GenAI-created text, image and audio (deepfakes) are enabling this activity. Gartner predicts 25 per cent of candidate profiles globally will be fake by 2028.
https://www.hrleader.com.au/people/27173-candidate-fraud-from-hiring-hurdle-to-business-threat
Whistleblowers Remain Unprotected as Government Fails to Implement Promised Reforms – 19 August 2025
Key points from this paper are:
-Whistleblower protections remain inadequate across sectors, including universities;
-Reform efforts under the Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Act have stalled; and
-Independent advocacy is pushing for a formal oversight body.
Internet provider iiNet hit in cyberattack, 280k customers’ data exposed – 12 August 2025
Australia – 22 August 2025s third-largest internet provider has been hit in a massive data breach, exposing details belonging to 280,000 customers. Internet and telecommunications company iiNet released a statement confirming an unknown third party had gained access to its order management system. “Early investigations suggest the unauthorised access was gained using stolen account credentials from one employee,” the statement read.
West Aussies have lost $30 million to celebrity and cryptocurrency scams since 2024 – 19 August 2025
West Australians are increasingly being duped by celebrity and crypto cons, resulting in millions of dollars being stolen. New research by WA ScamNet revealed that almost 50 WA residents have fallen victim to investment scams in 2025, resulting in $10.8 million being stolen. In 2024 alone, 76 WA victims reported handing over nearly $19.4 million to scammers and their schemes. One victim was reported to have lost an astonishing $10 million after being lured in by a “deepfake” online celebrity endorsement video.
A practical guide to whistleblowing in Australia – 20 August 2025
Australia’s whistleblower regime under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), provides protections for people who speak up about corporate misconduct or wrongdoing. The Whistleblower Laws aren’t just about supporting those who raise a complaint, they also set out clear obligations for organisations to comply with. This paper outlines Australias whistleblower regime and tells why it’s essential for businesses to understand what’s required when someone ‘blows the whistle.’
https://hamiltonlocke.com.au/a-practical-guide-to-whistleblowing-in-australia/
Report has revealed widespread concerns among Queensland public servants, with many too afraid to report corruption over fears of retaliation – 20 August 2025
Nearly six thousand government workers took part in the review, which highlighted alarming levels of distrust, whistleblower fears and concerns over recruitment practices. The review, conducted by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), surveyed almost 6000 staff across the state. More than half of respondents – 55 per cent – said they had either witnessed or possibly witnessed corrupt behaviour in that time. The findings show nine in ten workers suspect some form of corruption is happening around them. Seven in ten said they would recognise corrupt behaviour if they saw it, and three in four said they would report it. Yet more than half – 52 per cent – believed they would face negative consequences if they spoke up.
‘It’s out of control’: Organised crime gangs strike Rebel stores – 21 August 2025
Organised thieves targeting Rebel Sport stores in Victoria are having such a financial impact on its parent, ASX-listed Super Retail Group, that management flagged it with analysts and investors at the group’s full-year results on Thursday. Super Retail chief executive Anthony Heraghty, who is embroiled in a Federal Court battle brought by two former employees, said highly organised criminals were entering the company’s sporting goods stores to steal thousands of dollars worth of high-value items that could be easily resold through online marketplaces.
Postal worker charged over alleged $1.4m fraud from stolen bank cards in Sydney – 22 August 2025s east – 22 August 2025
A 56-year-old postal worker is accused of stealing bank cards and other items from mail in Sydney – 22 August 2025s east. Police allege he supplied the stolen cards to two separate criminal syndicates, resulting in $1.4 million worth of fraud. Two other men were charged in connection and all three men are due before court next month.
Doctor accused of secretly filming colleagues has – 22 August 2025complex – 22 August 2025 mental health issues, court hears – 22 August 2025
Ryan Cho, who is accused of secretly filming hundreds of women in hospital toilets and bathrooms, has been granted bail. Dr Cho – 22 August 2025s bail conditions include living with his parents and a ban from attending hospitals unless in an emergency.
Dr Cho – 22 August 2025s lawyer said he expected hundreds more charges would be laid by the end of the year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/trainee-surgeon-ryan-cho-granted-bail/105686442
Mackay Sugar fined $100,000 after accident severs worker – 22 August 2025s fingers – 22 August 2025
Mackay Sugar has been fined $100,000 after an employee partially severed three fingers in 2021. The court heard a pump was “poorly maintained” with no belt guards, which contributed to the breach of workplace health and safety laws. Mackay Sugar says it has implemented safety upgrades in the years since the incident.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/sugar-prosecution-three-fingers-severed/105684872
Victorian school teacher charged with soliciting child abuse material – 22 August 2025
Victorian teacher, Harley James Caldwell, has been charged with child abuse material offences. His employer, Irymple Secondary College, says there is no information to suggest a student or former students are involved. The teacher will face court in October.
