Super Retail CEO Affair Sparks Whistleblower Legal Battle – 1 May 2025
A bombshell legal battle has erupted inside Super Retail Group, the $3 billion Australian retail giant behind brands including Rebel, Supercheap Auto, Macpac and BCF, with its former top legal executives alleging CEO Anthony Heraghty conducted a secret affair that fostered a toxic corporate culture, and led to their wrongful dismissal.
https://www.channelnews.com.au/super-retail-ceo-affair-sparks-whistleblower-legal-battle/
Accountants warned to prepare for emerging fraud threats: RSM – 2 May 2025
The fraud landscape is rapidly shifting with the emergence of ‘fraud as a service’, AI deepfakes, and the sale of fraud kits on the dark web, a fraud specialist has warned. Organisations and accounting professionals have been cautioned on some of the newer fraud risks arising for businesses as criminals look to exploit developments in AI. Speaking in a recent webinar, Roger Darvall-Stevens, partner and head of forensic services at RSM Australia, said while the classic fraud schemes that have always been used to target businesses haven’t changed, the types of technology used by fraudsters to carry out those schemes is rapidly changing.
IT warning after hackers close 160-year-old firm – 4 May 2025
The director of a 160-year-old haulage firm put out of business by a cyber-attack has urged companies to be on their guard. A ransom note from a hacker group was found buried in IT systems. The attack damaged key data, making it impossible to meet reporting deadlines set by lenders and it was then forced into administration.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvren4je77o
Open letter calls on newly elected Parliament to introduce Whistleblower Protection Authority, sustained funding for integrity agencies to protect from government pressure – 5 May 2025
Integrity experts, including former judges, ombudsmen and leading academics, have signed an open letter, coordinated by The Australia Institute and Fairer Future and published today in The Canberra Times, calling on the newly elected Parliament of Australia to address weaknesses in Australian political integrity. They say “A Whistleblower Protection Authorityis the missing piece of Australia’s anti-corruption and transparency landscape”.
Gang leaders jailed over $660k cash-for-crash fraud – 5 May 2025
Leading members of an organised crime gang who defrauded British insurers by making false motor claims have been jailed. Ten fraudsters pocketed more than $665,000 in payouts for car crashes that were intentionally induced or never took place. The group would cause deliberate collisions by slamming on their vehicle’s brake so innocent drivers behind would collide into them and some incidents were also paper-based fabrications.
https://www.insurancenews.com.au/international/gang-leaders-jailed-over-660k-cash-for-crash-fraud
The alarm has been sounded on deepfakes – 6 May 2025
Deepfakes are a growing cybersecurity threat that blur the line between reality and fiction. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, deepfakes introduce serious implications for public and private sector institutions.“ A recent report found that 47% of companies have encountered deepfake attacks while 62% aren’t adequately prepared to counter them.” On a regulatory level, governments need to enforce AI content labelling and require social media platforms to flag AI-generated videos.
https://it-online.co.za/2025/05/06/the-alarm-has-been-sounded-on-deepfakes/
Broker accused of exploiting NDIS clients in alleged $700,000 fraud – 6 May 2025
Jimmy Koufos, a Sydney mortgage broker is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly defrauding National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clients out of more than $700,000. Over a five-year period he allegedly used their funds to support an opulent lifestyle. The allegations have once again spotlighted the growing concerns around integrity within the NDIS.
Sackings, bullying and lack of oversight: The fears in top schools unit revealed at ICAC – 6 May 2025
Senior education officials raised concerns about a lack of oversight, reprisal sackings and bullying within the department’s school infrastructure unit, the state’s corruption watchdog has heard. ICAC is examining allegations Former Schools Infrastructure NSW chief executive officer Anthony Manning and others within the agency subverted recruitment practices, improperly awarded contracts and misallocated funds to favour friends and associates between 2017 and 2024.
AI arms race fuels surge in cybercrime & deepfake scams – 6 May 2025
Cybersecurity experts are warning that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence is providing new tools for cybercriminals, heightening digital risks for Australian organisations and individuals. In recent months, security researchers have observed a notable uptick in the deployment of infostealer malware across Australia. These malicious programmes infiltrate both personal and corporate systems, quietly harvesting key data including banking details, emails, and passwords stored in browsers.
https://securitybrief.com.au/story/ai-arms-race-fuels-surge-in-cybercrime-deepfake-scams
SIM swap and phone porting scams leave victims ‘traumatised’ – 7 May 2025
SIM swap and phone porting scams have been around for several years. Advocates say this takeover of an individual’s identity via their phone is often compounded by the fact many of us now rely completely on mobiles to make calls and get help.’ IDCare says a recent spate of data breaches affecting major companies could be delivering scammers more information on Australian consumers, making it easier to perform unauthorised SIM swaps and ports.
NDIS firm sanctioned 18 months before suspension – 8 May 2025
NDIS provider Cocoon SDA Care has had its registration suspended after site visits to its properties by the national watchdog identified serious safety concerns.
Digital Access to the Australian required to read article
Man jailed for his role in Australian dog fighting ring boasted online he ‘killed more dogs than parvovirus’ – 9 May 2025
A man jailed for his role in a dog fighting ring remains a member of multiple online groups that discuss the blood sport, even boasting that he has killed “more dogs than parvovirus”. Darling Downs man Glenn Wilson was found guilty in 2019 of supplying a pit bull terrier called “Pretty Girl” for fighting and failing to provide appropriate living conditions and treatment to several other dogs.He was sentenced to six months in prison, banned from owning pit bulls for life, and forced to pay $60,000 to the RSPCA.
