South Australians lose $6 million to scams – 24 August 2026
South Australians reported more than $6 million in scam losses in the first half of 2026, including more than $3.5 million from investment scams. Authorities highlighted increasingly sophisticated financial crime using AI and stolen personal information.
https://cbs.sa.gov.au/news/south-australians-lose-%246-million-to-scams
CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne raided by police investigating alleged corruption – 24 August 2026
Victoria Police raided six properties, including the CFMEU’s Victorian headquarters, as part of an investigation into alleged secret commissions, fraud and organised crime in the construction industry. Five men were arrested and two subsequently charged with offences arising from the broader investigation.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-24/cfmeu-headquarters-raided-five-arrested/107071276
Victorian authorities accuse Royal One of fraud related to energy efficiency scheme – 25 August 2026
Victorian authorities suspended energy-efficiency company Royal One from the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme after alleging that it submitted doctored photographs and falsified customer information to obtain certificates. The Essential Services Commission described the conduct as alleged deliberate fraud.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/vic-energy-efficiency-scheme-suspension-royal-one/107074834
Former AMP adviser banned for five years – 25 August 2026
A former financial adviser has been banned from providing financial services after ASIC identified misconduct he failed to act in clients’ best interests and gave advice which was “well below community expectations”. The case is relevant to financial-adviser compliance and ASIC’s use of banning powers against individuals who fail to meet their obligations.
https://www.moneymanagement.com.au/former-amp-adviser-banned-five-years/
Ex-ATO boss Chris Jordan allegedly paid ‘little or no income tax’ while at KPMG – 25 August 2026
Documents released during the parliamentary investigation into the KPMG audit-leaks scandal contain allegations concerning former KPMG partner and former ATO Commissioner Chris Jordan. The documents allege offshore arrangements, promotion of tax schemes and receipt of alleged secret commissions. These are allegations contained in documents, not established findings of wrongdoing.
ASIC sets plan to be easier to deal with, harder to avoid – 26 August 2026
ASIC announced a new regulatory plan aimed at making the regulator easier for compliant businesses to deal with while becoming tougher on entities attempting to avoid regulatory scrutiny. The plan specifically emphasises identifying misconduct earlier and taking more decisive action, including using AI to detect misconduct.
Anita Perrottet paid more than $250k for three months of consulting, ICAC told – 26 August 2026
NSW ICAC heard that Anita Perrottet was paid $254,666 for three months of consulting work. The inquiry is investigating whether payments made to her company represented genuine consulting work or were part of an alleged scheme involving prohibited political donations and the NSW Liberal Party’s Reformers faction.
ASIC must take stronger action against ‘delinquent auditors’, says former ACCC chair – 27 August 2026
Former ACCC chair Graeme Samuel has called on ASIC to make stronger use of its powers against auditors who fail to meet professional standards. The article examines concerns about auditor accountability and ASIC’s enforcement approach.
Victorian man arrested over alleged $700,000 NDIS fraud – 27 August 2026
Police arrested a 48-year-old man who allegedly used two businesses to divert approximately $700,000 in NDIS funding into his own bank accounts. Investigators allege false invoices were submitted for services that were never received over a two-year period.
Former NSW building commissioner David Chandler tells ICAC of alleged shakedown – 27 August 2026
David Chandler told NSW ICAC about an alleged threat from property developer Jean Nassif. ICAC is investigating whether political donations connected to Nassif were exchanged for political favours, including attempts to influence government decisions involving the construction industry.
ATO Data Matching: How Compliance Risks Are Found Fast – 27 August 2026
This article looks at how the ATO is increasingly using data matching to identify tax discrepancies and compliance risks. It highlights the growing ability of authorities to detect potentially fraudulent or misleading financial activity through automated analysis of financial data.
https://www.moore-australia.com.au/news/ato-data-matching-compliance-risks
Two Perth hackers charged after major AFP, FBI investigation into alleged global cybercrime – 27 August 2026
Two WA men in their early 20s have been charged with allegedly masterminding a global cybercrime syndicate that compromised hundreds of organisations. The men were arrested after a joint investigation by the state and federal police, in addition to the FBI.
Sydney-based telco employee accused of selling customer data – 28 August 2026
A 30-year-old telecommunications employee has been charged with allegedly accessing and selling customer information to criminal groups. Police allege the information was subsequently used to commit fraud against multiple victims. Charges include dealing with identity information to commit an indictable offence and allegedly corruptly receiving a benefit.
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/sydney-based-telco-employee-accused-of-selling-customer-data-628502
