ASIC sues former First Guardian executives over alleged $57 million paid to related entities – 30 October 2026
ASIC has sued former First Guardian executives David Anderson and Simon Selimaj in the Federal Court and is seeking leave to pursue Falcon Capital (in liquidation), the scheme’s responsible entity. ASIC alleges more than 6,000 Australians invested over $600 million, mostly from superannuation, that Falcon Capital put about $270 million into unregistered funds with inadequate due diligence, and that at least $57 million went to entities controlled by Mr Anderson or Mr Selimaj.
Fraudulent funeral insurer boss fined over breach – 30 October 2026
Youpla director Ronald Pattenden was banned from managing corporations for 15 years after acknowledging his breach in a settlement with ASIC. The Federal Court also found former Youpla chief Bryn Jones breached his director duties. Jones’s penalty will be decided at a later hearing.
https://www.theleader.com.au/story/9383353/fraudulent-funeral-insurer-boss-fined-over-breach/
Celebrity chef Scott Pickett to face liquidators’ examination over First Guardian dealings – 1 November 2026
Celebrity chef Scott Pickett will be questioned by liquidators of the collapsed First Guardian fund about his dealings with fund manager David Anderson, including a decision to waive repayment of $13 million the fund provided to their joint hospitality business, Rogue Traders. Mr Pickett is not a defendant in ASIC’s case and no examination date has been set. (Report originally published by The Age; link is a republished copy.)
(access to digital version of The Age required to read this article)
or
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/948617/
Tribunal upholds sacking of former CBA executive who gave false evidence over broker relationship – 3 November 2026
The Fair Work Commission dismissed an unfair dismissal claim from a former senior Commonwealth Bank home lending executive and upheld his sacking. Deputy President Gerard Boyce found he intentionally gave false evidence and described it as “wholly unreliable”. The case centred on his concealed dealings with a man linked to payments from broker referral partners, although the decision made no finding that kickbacks were paid.
Police arrest five over $235 million allegedly rorted from federal agencies including the NDIA – 4 November 2026
Federal police have charged five people over alleged fraud of about $235 million against the NDIA, Services Australia, Veterans’ Affairs and the Education Department, following raids at 26 locations. The accused allegedly claimed payments for services that were not delivered or only partly delivered, including through a phishing scam that redirected Centrelink payments. Investigations are continuing and other people of interest are being examined.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-04/federal-police-five-charged-ndis-welfare-fraud/107344388
ATO savaged over fraud case as appeal flops, NACC involved – 4 November 2026
The Queensland Court of Appeal rejected the Commonwealth’s challenge to findings that Anthony Rains, a former lead ATO criminal investigator, acted dishonestly in a multimillion-dollar fraud case against a Queensland woman. The court gave prosecutors 90 days to propose a way for the case to proceed fairly. The ATO says it is working with the National Anti-Corruption Commission on an appropriate investigation path.
Jail time for DVA Fraud – 4 November 2026
A Perth exercise physiologist was sentenced to two years’ jail for defrauding the veteran support system of more than $140,000 with invoices for services never provided
https://www.dva.gov.au/media/departmental-media-releases/jail-time-for-dva-fraud
Jailed former SA MP Troy Bell pleads guilty to deception charges over parliamentary allowance – 4 November 2026
Former Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell, already serving a five-year jail term for theft, pleaded guilty in Adelaide Magistrates Court to 15 of 52 deception charges over falsely claiming the country members allowance. The pleas relate to $21,177 of more than $34,000 allegedly collected between 2015 and 2020, and the remaining charges were dropped. Sentencing is set for 11 December.
Corruption watchdog finds ‘combined failure’ behind $116m Queensland police building lease – 5 November 2026
The Crime and Corruption Commission found a “combined failure” behind the Queensland Police Service’s $116 million, 15-year lease of a Stones Corner building that has never been occupied. It found no dishonesty, improper relationships or personal gain, but said the service committed to about $500,000 a month without secured funding, a competitive process or a value-for-money check. The Commissioner has accepted all nine recommendations.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-05/corruption-watchdog-queensland-police-building/107349896
Multi-million dollar fraud syndicate charged by AFP – 5 November 2026
The Australian Federal Police have charged five people with allegedly orchestrating $235 million in fraud against the federal government, uncovered by the Fraud Fusion Taskforce under Operation Integrity Fusion. Police executed 26 search warrants across Adelaide, the central coast, Melbourne, rural Queensland and Sydney. They seized 44 digital devices and 37 cloud accounts holding more than 28 terabytes of data. They also seized over $120,000 in cash, $15,000 in silver bullion, $11,000 in gold coins and about $60,000 in jewellery.
https://www.themandarin.com.au/323629-multi-million-dollar-fraud-syndicate-charged-by-afp/
