WA is losing the tobacco wars as gangs target vape stores and cheap cigarettes flood market – 19 January 2026
Western Australia is struggling to control a growing illegal tobacco and vape market, with criminal gangs increasingly dominating a trade, the state’s outdated laws aren’t equipped to tackle. Opposition figures and experts argue for powers like those in other states, including higher fines and the ability to shut down illegal retailers quickly.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-19/wa-losing-the-fight-to-control-illegal-cigarettes/106242556
Elphinstone Engineering director sentenced for interfering with Aboriginal relics – 19 January 2026
A magistrate says a company director ought to have known of a significant Aboriginal site on his land prior to interfering with relics. Graeme Elphinstone was fined $12,000 for nine counts of contravening the Aboriginal Heritage Act, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of $181,000. Speaking outside court, Mr Elphinstone said the prosecution had wasted his and the court’s time.
Tribunal bans senior nurse for trying to take patient’s medication, altering hospital records – 19 January 2026
Registered nurse Sarah Rebecca Nolan has been banned from providing any health service for four years after a tribunal found she attempted to steal a surgical patient’s ADHD medication. A tribunal found she also falsified the patient’s hospital records and “manipulated” a younger colleague’s Facebook account in an attempt to cover up her actions. A tribunal has ordered Ms Nolan also pay costs of the proceedings.
Sydney dentist accused of drugging woman before sexually assaulting her facing new rape, sexual touching allegations against two more women – 20 January 2026
Maged Fouad Farag, is accused of drugging a young woman with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during a “job trial” at his Rockdale dental clinic and then sexually assaulting her, including touching her breasts and genitals and taking naked photographs without consent. He allegedly asked the woman to sign a non disclosure agreement and undress for a supposed skin check, according to court documents.
Strict bail for ‘risky’ accused $3.6m NDIS fraudster Billal Chami – 20 January 2026
Billal Chami, a 31-year-old director of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court accused of defrauding around $3.6 million in NDIS funds by allegedly redirecting money meant for disability supports into his own accounts and withdrawing large sums in cash. Prosecutors allege the scheme affected about 26 NDIS participants and involved deposits of about $3.7 million into accounts linked to his company. Chami has been charged with dealing with money reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime valued at $1 million or more, has not entered a plea, and faces possible future sanctions, including potential banning of his firm from the NDIS.
Alleged scam mastermind arrested after being exposed by BBC – 21 January 2026
Cambodian authorities have arrested prominent businessman Kuong Li, who was featured in a 2023 BBC Eye investigation into online scam operations. He has been charged with illegal recruitment for exploitation, aggravated fraud, organised crime and money laundering linked to alleged offences since 2019, both in Cambodia and overseas. A Phnom Penh court ordered him remanded in custody on 15 January. Kuong Li appeared in The Pig Butchering Romance Scam, which examined alleged human trafficking and fraud within scam compounds in South East Asia, including the Huang Le compound in Sihanoukville, which he owns.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy8v31kkv1o
IBAC operation picton: Victorian Police accused of cover up – 21 January 2026
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is investigating alleged misconduct by up to eight police officers, including evidence tampering and potential cover-ups.
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Celebrity Ink under ACC investigation amid franchise revolt – 21 January 2026
The competition watchdog has launched a probe into alleged unethical conduct by the tattoo franchise brand, including excessive fees and unfair breach notices.
Australia watchdog orders audit of fintech Airwallex on suspected compliance miss – 22 January 2026
Australia’s financial crime regulator, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), has ordered an external audit of payment fintech Airwallex Pty over suspected failures to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) rules.
Ex-Financial Advisor Torre Gets Six Years for Fraud – 23 January 2026
Former financial adviser Anthony Paul Torre has been sentenced to six years in prison by the District Court of Western Australia. He will be eligible for parole after serving four years. Torre pleaded guilty on 28 January 2025 to three counts of stealing and two counts of fraud related to the misappropriation of $1,030,000 from clients’ superannuation funds between March 2010 and January 2015 under sections 378 and 409 of the WA Criminal Code. Victims included older clients (a couple in their 60s lost about $500,000, and another man over 60 lost about $150,000).
https://www.miragenews.com/ex-financial-advisor-torre-gets-six-years-for-1606557/
