Melbourne fraudster sentenced for swindling $35,000 via cyber scam – 7 March 2025
A Melbourne man charged as part of an international police takedown of a cybercrime platform has been ordered to pay $34,990 compensation for fraud-related offences. The man was a user of LabHost, a now defunct cybercrime platform allegedly marketed as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for phishing, which was brought down in April, 2024. The LabHost platform enabled cybercriminals to fraudulently replicate more than 170 websites of reputable banks, government entities and other major organisations, to trick unsuspecting victims into believing they were legitimate.
Police launch investigation into Pastoralists and Graziers Association as it prepares to exit voluntary administration – 7 March 2025
The Pastoralists and Graziers Association says allegations of financial misconduct within the organisation are being investigated by police.
It comes as the prominent agricultural lobby group prepares to exit voluntary administration after creditors approved a rescue package at a meeting in Perth.
Businesses ill-equiped to deal with rising threat of deepfake scams – 7 March 2025
Some businesses and accountants are struggling to keep pace with emerging deceptive practices such as deepfake scams, a fraud specialist has warned. Advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, have enabled fraudsters to develop more sophisticated scams and fraud attempts in the past couple of years, including deepfake scams used to impersonate other people.
Liability for bank payment fraud – lessons from Mobius v Inoteq – 10 March 2025
According to the Australian Banking Association, 250,000 cases of misdirected bank payment fraud cost Australian businesses an estimated A$320 million last year. Yet so far there have been relatively few decisions in Australian courts on the question of liability for misdirected bank payments. Just before the end of last year, Australian cyber lawyers received an unexpected present: a decision on liability for bank payment fraud. Nicholas Blackmore looks at the decision and what it means for disputes about misdirected bank payments.
Whistleblower at NSW government department concerned by internal survey results, as staff member dies by suicide – 10 March 2025
A whistleblower has raised the alarm on a crucial state government department after an employee recently took their own life, as dire results from a staff survey have been leaked. More than half the workers at the Building Commission NSW are looking for a new job while 70 per cent are burnt out, according to an internal questionnaire
Workplace tensions: Salesperson disputes dismissal after refusing investigation – 11 March 2025
A worker challenged his dismissal before the Fair Work Commission (FWC), arguing that his employer had unfairly ended his employment. He claimed that he was not given a fair chance to respond to allegations against him and that the employer’s handling of the matter was procedurally flawed.
Australia reports decrease in scam losses and activities in 2024 – 12 March 2025
The National Anti-Scam Centre’s comprehensive 2024 report highlighted a significant decrease in scam-related financial losses, totaling $2.03 billion—a 25.9% reduction from the previous year. This data underscores the ongoing efforts to combat the financial impact of scams targeting Australians.
AFCA gains new powers as scam losses drop in Australia – 12 March 2025
The federal government has approved changes allowing the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to investigate the role of receiving banks in scam-related cases. Under current rules, AFCA can only review the actions of the bank that transferred a customer’s funds.The new directive, set to take effect within 12 months, will expand AFCA’s authority to examine whether receiving banks took appropriate measures to prevent fraudulent transactions.
https://psnews.com.au/financial-complaints-agency-getting-more-powers-to-investigate-scams/155401
Greater ethics requirements contributing to lower fraud levels – 12 March 2025
Advisers may struggle to meet their ethics CPD requirements, but the learnings are paying off as research finds it has helped to reduce adviser misconduct and financial fraud.
Australian Border Force employee charged for allegedly conspiring to smuggle drugs – 12 March 2025
An Australian Border Force employee and an alleged crime figure have been charged with bribery and drug offences. It’s alleged the employee was paid in cash to bypass security checks for drugs being smuggled into the country. The employee and alleged crime figure, along with two others, are expected to appear in court.
Police seek information after Foster woman scammed of $130,000 – 13 March 2025
Police are investigating the theft of $130,000 from an elderly regional Victorian woman. The scammer visited her Foster home and took her bank card from her — a measure she thought was the bank’s way of protecting her. The card was then used 130 times before being cancelled, robbing her of a large chunk of her life savings.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-13/police-seek-information-after-foster-woman-scammed/105045880
Why we need stronger whistleblower protections – 13 March 2025
Whistleblowers play a vital role in our democracy by standing up for truth and accountability. Unfortunately, Australia’s weak laws mean that whistleblowers face punishment and reprisals when they speak up. In February, the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill was introduced. The Bill would establish a body to oversee and enforce whistleblower protections, facilitate whistleblower disclosures, and safeguard whistleblowers who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
AFP raids Melbourne properties in CFMEU investigation – 13 March 2025
Police raided two properties in Melbourne on Thursday as part of an investigation into the CFMEU and corruption in the building industry. Australian Federal Police executed search warrants at a business address on Arthurton Road in Northcote and a five-bedroom home on Lynwood Parade in Templestowe Lower in what is understood to be an investigation into large financial transactions.
Belgian prosecutors arrest ‘Huawei lobbyists’ in corruption probe linked to EU parliament – 14 March 2025
Multiple people have been arrested by Belgian prosecutors who raided addresses as part of a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament. Local reports suggest the probe centres on lobbyists working for the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei suspected of bribing EU members to promote the company’s commercial policy. Belgian newspaper Le Soir says “several lobbyists” in custody are due to appear in front of a judge for questioning.
