‘Pretty wild’: Fraud, toxic culture claims rock trouble-plagued VFL club – 13 January 2026
Frankston Dolphins Football Club (VFL) is being investigated by Victoria Police for alleged financial fraud and toxic workplace culture. Senior figures and board members have resigned after financial discrepancies were uncovered in internal reviews. The probe is ongoing and has involved WorkSafe monitoring for compliance issues.
Financial advice sector in need of trust reset, says top AFCA exec – 1 February 2026
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) warned of systemic problems in superannuation and financial advice following the high profile Shield Master Fund and First Guardian collapses. These failures resulted in losses of around $1.2 billion for ~11,000 Australians. AFCA is pushing for sector reforms to restore trust and improve oversight.
AFCA orders payout over bad financial advice – 2 February 2026
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority directed InterPrac Financial Planning to pay $118,000 to a client for lost investment earnings due to poor advice related to the Shield fund collapse. This is the first such ruling involving InterPrac in the ongoing fallout from collapsed super strategies — and ASIC is pursuing further legal action.
Sydney property manager with alleged ties to ‘satanic’ paedophile ring denied bail – 4 February 2026
A 62-year-old Sydney property manager and alleged member of a “satanic” child sexual abuse material ring has been denied bail. Magistrate Alison Viney told the court the contents of the material found by police was “concerning and horrific”. Five other men have been charged as part of the investigation and remain before the courts.
Scammers staged a fake AFP set in a Cambodian compound – 4 February 2026
Scammers set up a fake Australian Federal Police (AFP) office inside an abandoned scam centre in O’Smach, Cambodia — a six storey compound previously used for transnational fraud operations. The room was dressed with AFP logos and Australian flags to make it look convincing.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/fake-afp-office-scam-centre-cambodia/106303328
Tribunal Penalises petty lawyer for slow compliance – 4 February 2026
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) reprimanded a principal lawyer, Jeffrey Paul Biggs, for unsatisfactory professional conduct. The tribunal found he failed to comply promptly with requests to hand over client documents, describing his refusal as “petty” and not meeting the reasonable standards of competence and diligence expected of a legal practitioner.
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/43731-tribunal-penalises-petty-lawyer-for-slow-compliance
‘The $60m man’: Labor donor was key player in landmark bribery scandal – 4 February 2026
Peng Siong Lee, described as a significant political donor, made a $50,000 donation to the federal Labor Party in the 2024–25 financial year, according to recent disclosures by the Australian Electoral Commission. The article highlights his alleged involvement in a major bribery scandal.
Access to digital version of AFR required to ready article
Gus disappearance declared major crime, police identify suspect at Oak Park Station – 5 February 2026
Gus Lamont’s disappearance has been declared a major crime by police, who have identified a person who has resided at Oak Park Station as a suspect. They have stressed that person is not one of Gus’s parents. Police say there is no evidence to suggest Gus wandered off or that he was abducted, and have seized items from the property.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/police-update-on-missing-boy-gus-lamont/106307630
Hackers publish personal information stolen during Harvard, Upenn data breaches – 5 February 2026
A well known hacking group called ShinyHunters has publicly published personal information it claims to have stolen from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania following data breaches from late 2025. ShinyHunters released more than 1 million records from each university on its leak platform — a tactic it usually uses to pressure organisations into paying ransom, which both universities reportedly refused to do. The leaked data reportedly includes email addresses, phone numbers, home and business addresses, event records, donation details and other biographical information linked to alumni and fundraising activities.
David Valvo permanently banned from finance after sticky tape scam – 5 February 2026
David Valvo, a former Sydney financial adviser convicted of fraud, has been permanently banned from the financial services industry by ASIC. He used sticky tape to forge client signatures and withdrew money from super accounts without consent while charging ongoing advisory fees. Valvo was sentenced to prison (suspended) and ordered to pay reparations.
Access to digital version of courier mail required to read article
