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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 12 December 2025
Lawyer accused of extracting firm data fails to bolster defence – 5 Decemeber 2025
A lawyer, previously employed at a law firm — is accused of extracting confidential data from that firm with the intention of using it to set up a rival firm. The lawyer tried to strengthen his defence by filing new pleadings, including a claim that a “side agreement” made the original employment agreement illegal. A court (or judge) rejected that attempt, finding the new defence insufficient or flawed. As a result, the lawyer “failed to bolster” his defence.
ASIC questions KPMG over employees using AI to cheat on tests – 9 Decemeber 2025
ASIC is probing KPMG after allegations that some KPMG employees used AI tools to cheat on internal tests. The scrutiny comes amid broader revelations that auditors at KPMG were caught using AI to cheat on assessment tasks. The issue raises concerns about professional integrity and trustworthiness at a major audit firm — especially since audits play a critical role in financial reporting and oversight.
Shannon got an email saying she’d been convicted for multiple crimes in Mt Druitt. She says she’s never even been there – 9 Decemeber 2025
The article describes the case of Shannon Smith, a 28 year-old UK-born social worker candidate for a permanent skilled visa, whose required police check via Australian Federal Police (AFP) came back listing multiple criminal convictions. The convictions include shoplifting, affray and failure to appear at court (in 2023 and 2025), and a drug possession offence reportedly in 2019. Smith says she never committed these offences and claims she was not even in the relevant jurisdiction at the time, and in some cases was not in Australia at all.
Ombud strikes another blow in unlawful welfare cancellation saga – 9 Decemeber 2025
The Ombudsman, Iain Anderson has again strongly criticised the agencies administering the TCF (Targeted Compliance Framework), including Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and Services Australia. The investigation into the TCF began in February 2025, after concerns that a large number of income-support payments for job-seekers had been cancelled unlawfully or unfairly. To date, the Ombudsman’s reviews have resulted in 604 repayments to people whose payments were wrongly cancelled.
https://www.themandarin.com.au/304651-targeted-compliance-framework-ombud-report-2/
Panda Mart banned from trading for 72 hours after hundreds of illegal items found on shelves – 10 Decemeber 2025
An urgent court order has banned budget retailer Panda Mart from operating in Victoria after hundreds of illegal items were discovered on the shelves. A number of concerning items have been found at the Cranbourne and Preston stores, including candles with flammable content next to the wick, toys with unsecured button batteries, items with choking hazards and flotation devices without adequate warnings.
The discount shop, which first opened in Melbourne earlier this year, will remain closed for 72 hours from 9am today while a full compliance inspection takes place.
Penalties push for financial abusers who draw partners into tax and company fraud – 10 Decemeber 2025
The article describes the case of “Louise” (a pseudonym), a woman who found herself facing a large tax and company debt liability after her former partner registered her as a company director — without her knowledge or consent. As a result, she ended up with a “director penalty notice” from Australian Taxation Office (ATO) demanding payment of tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid tax, GST and PAYG withholding — debts she says she had no idea about and did not incur. According to recent research, economic abuse affects more than 2.4 million Australians and costs the economy roughly A$11 billion annually.
Reprimand for solicitor over attempts to émbarras, frustrate’ – 10 Decemeber 2025
A solicitor in Sydney was publicly reprimanded and fined after sending a letter that was judged to have been designed to “embarrass or frustrate” the recipient. The regulator found the conduct unacceptable under the professional conduct rules — i.e. it went beyond legitimate advocacy.
Services Australia data breaches almost double in two years – 11 Decemeber 2025
Services Australia (SA), the Australian government agency responsible for key welfare, Medicare, and social-services systems, is planning to expand its powers to deal with data breaches. The move comes as reported data breaches involving SA have nearly doubled over recent years.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9131194/services-australia-to-boost-data-breach-authority/
Murray River water thieves hit with $558,000 fine – 11 Decemeber 2025
Between 2016 and 2019, Jindalee Road Wines and David Littore illegally tapped into an irrigation pipeline (serviced by Western Murray Irrigation — WMI), bypassing water meters and diverting water to irrigate vineyards. On appeal (December 2025), the penalty was reduced to a combined $558,000: $345,000 for the company and $213,000 for Littore
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/david-littore-jindalee-road-wines-water-theft/106124764
Meta ran ads for bond scheme run by GIM Trading that allegedly defrauded millions from investors – 11 Decemeber 2025
Tech giant Meta ran advertisements for an Australian company now under investigation for fraud.
Meta confirmed it ran the GIM Trading ads but rejected claims it was not doing enough to stop scams on its platforms. ASIC continues to investigate GIM Trading but no criminal or civil charges have been laid.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 5 December 2025
Bali’s darkest secret has finally been exposed – 30 November 2025
The article outlines that behind the tourist-friendly image of Bali lies a “murky side”: a pattern of serious crimes — deaths, suspicious deaths, and disappearances — that often go un investigated or are mishandled. Several high-profile or alarming incidents are cited as examples: a tourist death after a suspected mass poisoning at a budget hostel; a skeleton found under a villa floor; a brutal double death of a wealthy foreign couple at a luxurious hotel (declared murder-suicide under controversial circumstances); and an unresolved 2017 death of an Australian tourist.
ATO investigator under scrutiny after putting ankle monitor on taxpayer with no criminal history – 2 December 2025
A rogue investigator at the Australian Tax Office is under increasing scrutiny over a decision to place an ankle monitor on a taxpayer with no criminal history. Anthony Rains, remains employed by the ATO despite a Supreme Court judgment in October finding he had committed 11 acts of misconduct, in a separate case against another taxpayer with no criminal history, known by the pseudonym Julie Clarke. That judgment is now under appeal.
Cheaters, finger-pointing and suspension: just a week in accounting – 3 December 2025
The article highlights a spate of recent scandals in the accounting industry — cheating, misconduct, and professional standards failures — leading to swift suspensions or disciplinary action. It notes that the past week alone has seen serious consequences for accountants and firms involved in wrongdoing. These include instances of cheating (on exams or professional assessments), finger pointing among staff or firms when misconduct is uncovered, and rapid suspensions of individuals or partners once issues come to light.
CFMEU inquiry hears rival union boss Stacey Schinnerl held ‘significant concerns’ for her safety after perceived threat – 3 December 2025
Australian Workers Union (AWU) Queensland branch boss Stacey Schinnerl has given evidence about the CFMEU’s alleged use of violence and intimidation towards the AWU, its main rival. Ms Schinnerl told the inquiry about receiving what she perceived to be a threat on her life. The commission of inquiry into alleged misconduct and corruption within the state division of the CFMEU continues.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-03/qld-cfmeu-inquiry-awu-qcu-queensland-police/106089924
H&M faces a $35m unpaid wages bill as Australian profits prove elusive – 4 December 2025
H&M Australia is under investigation by Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) after it alleged that around 1,500 workers may have been underpaid over a nine year period. The underpayments reportedly include shortfalls in overtime pay and penalty rates. As a result, H&M has recognised a provision of AUD $34.9 million (≈ A$35 million) to cover back pay and related costs.
Global drug syndicate leader Tse Chi Lop sentenced to 16 years in prison – 4 December 2025
Tse Chi Lop has been sentenced to 16 years’ jail for conspiring to traffic a commercial quantity of drugs into Australia. It is alleged the 62-year-old was head of a multi-billion-dollar syndicate known as The Company, or Sam Gor. The maximum penalty is typically life but a deal was struck between a former Australian attorney-general and Dutch authorities.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-04/tse-chi-lop-sentence-drug-syndicate-leader/106100496
‘Substantial shortfall’: Just $1.6 million recovered from $446 million owed to First Guardian investors – 5 December 2025
Thousands of Australians who lost their retirement savings in the collapse of superannuation fund First Guardian are unlikely to get hundreds of millions of dollars owed back in full, liquidators have warned. First Guardian Master Trust collapsed earlier this year, taking with it $446 million from around 6000 mum-and-dad investors. The fund’s liquidators have so far recovered just A$1.6 million.
HyperVerse promoter ‘Bitcoin Rodney’ accuses Australian Sam Lee in US court of duping him with ‘elaborate deception – 5 December 2025
A U.S. court case revived today accuses “Bitcoin Rodney” (a promoter) of being duped by a sophisticated scheme allegedly orchestrated by Sam Lee. HyperVerse (also known as HyperTech, HyperFund, HyperNation) is described as a suspected US$3 billion Ponzi scheme. The allegations include layers of deception: fake company infrastructure, staged presentations, and misleading marketing — making it one of the highest-profile crypto fraud cases linked to Australia in recent times.
Partner responsible for Deloitte AI bungle reportedly leaving the firm – 5 December 2025
A partner at Deloitte — the one responsible for a controversial, AI assisted report riddled with errors — is “reportedly retiring” (i.e. leaving the firm). The flawed report was produced for the government and published in July 2025. It included numerous fabricated or “hallucinated” academic references and quotes, apparently generated by AI, which undermined the credibility of parts of the document. The flawed report was produced for the government and published in July 2025. It included numerous fabricated or “hallucinated” academic references and quotes, apparently generated by AI, which undermined the credibility of parts of the document.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 28 November 2025
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank probe flags money laundering, terrorism financing control gaps – 25 November 2025
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank commissioned Deloitte to investigate “suspicious activity indicative of money laundering” at one of its branches. What Deloitte uncovered, however, was far broader: systemic deficiencies in the bank’s anti money laundering (AML) and counter terrorism financing (CTF) controls. The issues were not isolated, but extended across multiple aspects of the bank’s operations
Banned SMSF auditor charged with continuing to act whilst disqualified and falsifying documents – 26 November 2025
(ASIC) has charged Kristian John Convery — a permanently disqualified self managed super fund (SMSF) auditor, with proceeding to act as an SMSF auditor for multiple entities despite his ban. The charges allege that between June 2024 and January 2025, Convery audited four tax agents and 56 entities, even though his disqualification was effective from 15 May 2024. In addition, ASIC claims that between July 2024 and January 2025 he created false documents — including a letter and 47 SMSF audit reports — intending for them to be accepted as genuine or used to obtain a benefit.
Operation Topaz investigators uncover $25m owed to ATO amid worker exploitation probe – 26 November 2025
Authorities, including Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Department of Home Affairs — conducted a compliance crackdown in the agricultural and labour-hire sector in the Gatton region of Southeast Queensland. Audits of over 50 taxpayers across seven locations resulted in more than A$25 million in liabilities being raised — representing unpaid taxes, pay-as-you-go withholding and superannuation obligations. As a result, 8 compliance notices were issued to 7 employers. For 67 workers under those employers, FWO recovered nearly A$24,000 in under-payments. Some employers were fined (with nearly A$18,000 in total infringement fines) for breaching record-keeping and payslip-provision requirements.
AFL umpire Michael Pell faces more corruption charges over Brownlow Medal betting scandal – 26 November 2025
Michael Pell, a former umpire in the Australian Football League (AFL), has been hit with additional corruption charges related to alleged illegal betting on the Brownlow Medal count for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Previously Pell faced six offences; the new charges add two more counts alleging he engaged in conduct intended to corrupt betting outcomes by leaking confidential information. Pell — who resigned from umpiring in 2022 — denies the allegations. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 4, 2025, according to the recent filings.
ASIC takes action over developer David McWilliams alleged spending of frozen assets – 27 November 2025
A Gold Coast property developer under investigation for allegedly misusing investor funds has been accused of continuing to spend frozen assets. Corporate regulator ASIC alleges David McWilliams and wife Laura Fullarton have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds set aside for investors. ASIC’s investigation into Mr McWilliams and Ms Fullarton continues, but no charges have been laid.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-27/david-mcwilliams-asic-ndis-developer/106058612
Beer giant Asahi not engaging with ransomware hackers – 27 November 2025
Asahi, the maker of Asahi Super Dry beer, was hit by a ransomware attack on September 29, 2025. The attack severely disrupted internal systems, forcing the company to suspend order-processing, shipments, distribution and other operations across much of its Japanese business. The attack is described by Asahi as “sophisticated and cunning.” Hacker group — Qilin — is believed to have claimed responsibility, though Asahi has not confirmed any ransom demand or paid anything.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/beer-giant-asahi-not-engaging-ransomware-hackers-5493016
Premier David Crisafulli reacts to Troy Thompson resignation – 28 November 2025
The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) released a report into former Troy Thompson, ex Mayor of Townsville, finding he made multiple false or misleading claims during his 2024 election campaign. Specifically, the CCC concluded Thompson misrepresented his military service (claiming service with elite units when he had only served briefly in Army reserves), falsely claimed to hold university degrees, and falsely portrayed himself as a cancer survivor. The report also found Thompson released confidential council documents to an external adviser — despite the adviser having no formal role — and did so repeatedly while mayor, raising serious concerns about misuse of sensitive information.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 21 November 2025
Ombudsman delivers youth offending warning to Victorian government in extraordinary intervention – 14 November 2025
In an unusual move, ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath has written to Victorian MPs, warning the state government’s crackdown on youth offenders will have adverse effects on children in detention. She says there has been a 20 per cent increase in allegations of misconduct, including the use of force and misuse of power. Ms Baragwanath predicts the number of allegations could more than double if the crackdown continues.
Singapore battles dirty money from scam farms – 16 November 2025
Singapore authorities carried out a major enforcement operation against “scam farms”. Networks that run large-scale online fraud. Police seized hundreds of millions of dollars in financial assets, as well as a yacht and a fleet of luxury cars. Singapore is under pressure to strengthen its regulatory frameworks to more effectively combat financial crime tied to online fraud. The story underscores that such scam farms aren’t just a local issue — they have international reach, raising broader concerns about cross-border financial crime and money laundering.
https://www.ft.com/content/a81bc993-97fc-45d2-bd55-9dd32b5957d1
Police mental health unit under the spotlight after the deaths of 10 people – 17 November 2025
The officer in charge of training NSW Police recruits in responding to mental health crises was found, and cleared, of police misconduct in a fatal mental illness response. The ABC has uncovered the unit had just three officers tasked with training the entire 16,000 police force before it was rebranded. It comes as video shows police telling Collin Burling’s partner “you’re gonna be next” after the Waterloo man died in custody during a mental health episode earlier this year.
Debt collecting giant pursued 200,000 debts from Victorians while allegedly banned from operating in state – 17 November 2025
Panthera Finance, a major Australian debt-collection firm, is accused of pursuing over 200,000 debts in Victoria between May 2022 and June 2024, despite being banned from doing business in the state. The ban came after a 2020 federal court ruling that found Panthera had harassed consumers over disputed debts. Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) launched legal action in 2024, alleging that Panthera breached fair-trading laws by continuing to collect while “prohibited.”
Former police officer’s destruction of body-worn video and use of excessive force was serious misconduct, report finds – 17 November 2025
A former NSW constable who used excessive force on six separate occasions and destroyed incriminating body-worn video evidence has been found to have engaged in serious misconduct, alongside four officers he confessed to who didn’t report him.
Financial crimes regulator refers 45 suspected paedophiles following payment industry crackdown – 19 November 2025
AUSTRAC conducted a spot-check of 15 online payment platforms. As a result, they identified 45 customers they suspect of sending money overseas to pay for child sexual abuse content (both live and pre-recorded). These findings have been referred to law enforcement for further investigation.
Major family law firm Paterson and Dowding data hacked for ransom, extremely sensitive client info on dark web – 21 November 2025
Paterson & Dowding, a prominent family law firm in Western Australia, has confirmed a cyber-security incident. The Anubis ransomware gang claims responsibility for the breach. Hackers reportedly accessed and stole extremely sensitive client information, including: Financial records and client business documentation, Personal correspondence, including private messages, Legal case-strategy documents, court submissions, and other deeply personal legal materials. This incident raises serious questions about how well law firms protect confidential client data, especially for firms dealing with deeply personal legal matters.
Access to digital version of thewest required to read article
Jessica Buckley fourth person charged over alleged $71m Defence contracts fraud – 21 November 2025
The Australian Federal Police has charged a fourth person over an alleged $71 million Department of Defence contracts scheme. The ABC has confirmed that the 45-year-old woman charged is M + J Builders director, Jessica Buckley. Ms Buckley is due to appear before the Darwin Local Court on Friday, as the AFP operation continues.
Perth GP gave patient’s confidential medical records to ex-partner despite domestic violence concerns – 21 November 2025
A man was able to name his estranged wife’s baby without her knowledge after the woman’s doctor accessed and disclosed medical information without patient consent.
The doctor passed on the medical records despite knowing her patient had taken a violence restraining order out against the man. Following a State Administrative Tribunal hearing, the doctor was disqualified and banned from re-registering for nine months.
