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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 14 November 2025
Mar wanted to be a professional basketballer. Desperate for money, he turned to selling drugs – 9 November 2025
The article centres on Mar Riek, who at age 13, facing financial strain at home and a strong interest in basketball, turned to selling drugs after joining a gang in Melbourne’s outer south-east. The story notes that youth crime in Victoria is at a 15-year high, even though the number of young offenders remains stable. Children (under 18) make up 12.8% of offenders processed by the police, yet commit 60% of robberies, nearly half of aggravated burglaries and a quarter of car thefts.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-09/youth-gangs-crime-victoria-melbourne-violence/105982944
Deloitte caught in false claim it owned up to AI in tainted report – 11 November 2025
Deloitte says the core findings and recommendations of the AI tainted report remain unchanged despite the errors. Academics and lawmakers raised concerns about the over-reliance on generative AI in producing formal consultancy work. It draws attention to issues of transparency, quality assurance, and governance when generative AI is used in professional settings.
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GWW Customers Get $130M Redress for Billing Errors | Mirage News – 11 November 2025
Greater Western Water, a Victorian water utility, acknowledged major failures in its new billing system that led to billing disruptions and breaches of the water-industry customer-service standard. The Essential Services Commission (ESC) accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from GWW, requiring a $130 million remediation package for residential and small business customers — the largest such undertaking the ESC has ever accepted.
John Holland ends secret CFMEU side deals – 12 November 2025
John Holland Group (John Holland), a major construction company in Australia, has ended certain side-deals with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) following concerns raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC’s concern was that these arrangements restricted competition by preventing other labour-hire businesses from competing for work.
https://www.miragenews.com/gww-customers-get-130m-redress-for-billing-1567703/
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Chinese ‘cryptoqueen’ fraud jailed in UK over $9b Bitcoin laundering scheme – 12 November 2025
Zhiman Qian has been jailed for 11 years over a $9 billion Bitcoin laundering scheme. British authorities say Qian was the mastermind behind a Ponzi scheme into which around 128,000 victims in China invested billions of dollars. An associate of hers, Seng Hok Ling, also pleaded guilty in September to transferring criminal property, namely cryptocurrency.
Mining giant BHP copos 100,000 hit for forcing workers to turn up on Christmas Day – 12 November 2025
Mining giant BHP has copped a hefty slap on the wrist for forcing workers at a Queensland mine to work over the Christmas holiday period. The company has been handed nearly $100,000 worth of penalties for its conduct, which has been described as a landmark ruling and a warning to employers about how they approach public holidays.
Genea patients want IVF giant held to account as cybersecurity expert raises ongoing concerns – 12 November 2025
Patients of IVF giant Genea have criticised the firm’s response to a February data breach, which exposed sensitive medical information. No formal investigation has been launched into Genea, but a cybersecurity expert is calling for a review of a separate application that could have ongoing vulnerabilities. Australia’s national cyber security coordinator has conceded that reported incidents are likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Union boss says bribes a ‘moment of weakness’, pleads for no jail time – 13 November 2025
Darren Greenfield and his son Michael Greenfield -both former senior officials of the CFMEU (NSW) – have pleaded guilty to corruption and bribery charges. Their lawyer argued these amounts were “small” relative to the broader construction industry, and claimed no union member was directly affected by the payments. The prosecution argued the men held senior positions of trust, the payments had the potential to distort the construction market, and that the behaviour was motivated by greed rather than need. Sentencing is pending.
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ASIC launches legal blitz against Interprac, SQM, MWL Financial in First Guardian, Shield Superannuation fallout – 13 November 2025
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has initiated civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against three financial services entities: InterPrac Financial Planning (a licensee), SQM Research (an investment-research house), and MWL Financial Services (an advice firm). These legal actions stem from the collapses of two superannuation investment schemes: Shield Master Fund and First Guardian Master Fund, into which thousands of Australians invested retirement savings that are now at risk.
Sydney ‘fortune-teller’ allegedly ran $70m fraud by telling clients she saw a billionaire in their future – 13 November 2025
Two women in Sydney, a 53 year old Anya Phan (a self proclaimed feng shui master/fortune teller) and her 25 year old daughter Thi Ta, were arrested and charged over allegations of orchestrating a major fraud and money laundering syndicate. The scheme is alleged to have targeted vulnerable members of Sydney’s Vietnamese community by promising clients that a “billionaire” was going to enter their future, persuading them to take out loans which the older woman then profited from. It’s estimated that the fraud operation involved nearly A$70 million in total alleged losses
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 7 November 2025
Lawyers admission revoked, name struck from roll for dishonesty – 31 October 2025
A lawyer practising in the Law Society of the Northern Territory jurisdiction had her admission to the legal profession revoked, and her name struck from the roll of legal practitioners, because she breached her duty of candour. The Court found Patricia May Petersen lacked the “character, competence and temperament” to be admitted.
NSW mental health nurse disqualified after intimate relationship with patient – 1 November 2025
A former southern NSW mental health nurse has been found guilty of professional misconduct after taking a patient to an escape room and engaging in a years-long intimate relationship with him. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard Wagga Wagga Base Hospital nurse Dilnoor Kang should have been well aware of her patient’s vulnerability and that she exploited her position .The tribunal has disqualified Ms Kang from re-registering as a nurse for two years.
Big four consulting firms targeted by new Senate inquiry – 5 November 2025
The Australian Senate has launched a fresh inquiry into the major consulting firms focusing on how they provide services to government. This latest move comes amid growing concern about the structure, governance, transparency and influence of these firms in public work. There are concerns about large contracts awarded to them by the government and whether proper procurement, conflicts of interest and accountability frameworks are in place.
AI-tainted Deloitte report was worse than previously thought – 6 November 2025
The article highlights that the extent of the inaccuracies in the Deloitte AI report is broader than initially reported — e.g., multiple false or made-up references to academic work, and legal citations mis-attributed or entirely invented. The use of AI in drafting parts of the report raises significant questions about oversight: whether appropriate review, verification and validation were applied before publication. The errors go to the heart of credibility (legal, academic and governmental).
Strike off to come for solicitor who withdrew trust funds from criminal clients – 6 November 2025
A criminal-defence solicitor withdrew more than A$160,000 from a trust account without the knowledge or consent of her criminal-law clients. She has accepted a regulatory recommendation that her name be removed from the legal practitioners’ roll.
The funds were held in trust by her, and the withdrawals evidently breached the trust-account obligations and client trust.
Microsoft refund offer backfires – 6 November 2025
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges that Microsoft misled about the availability of a cheaper “Classic” plan (without Copilot). Microsoft sent emails and blog posts which claimed subscribers had to accept the higher-priced AI-enabled plan or cancel. The classic-plan option was allegedly only disclosed when someone began cancelling. In response, they offered refunds to eligible users who switched back to the non-AI “Classic” plan. Some subscribers reported technical glitches in the refund process: e.g., the link provided in the email led to the wrong plan (personal rather than family) or didn’t allow the switching as promised.
Eddie Obeid, Ian Macdonald and Moses Obeid appeal convictions over corrupt coal licence deal in High Court – 6 November 2025
Former NSW Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald, along with Obeid’s son Moses, are appealing their 2021 corruption convictions, arguing the case against them lacked detail. They were found guilty of using Macdonald’s ministerial role to help secure a lucrative coal exploration licence linked to Obeid family land. The High Court will decide whether the convictions against them stand in a ruling that could close the long-running legal saga.
Australian regulator flags risks to retirement saving from advice on self-managed funds – 7 November 2025
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reviewed 100 cases of advice given to Australian clients regarding establishment of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). Of those 100 cases, 27 involved advice that ASIC deemed could pose “serious harm” to clients’ retirement savings. Reuters. Further, in about 62 % of the files (i.e., 62 of 100) the advice did not meet the legal duty to act in the client’s best interests.
Former NAB employee charged over alleged role in ‘highly sophisticated’ $200m fraud, money laundering syndicate – 7 November 2025
A former NAB employee, Timotius “Donny” Sungkar (36), has been charged over his alleged role in a criminal group dubbed the “Penthouse Syndicate”, which is suspected of committing large-scale fraud and money-laundering. Police allege that Sungkar used his position at NAB to facilitate fraudulent business loans (around A$10 million in one part of the scheme) and that the overall fraud by the syndicate may be “well over A$200 million” and could reach up to A$250 million.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 31 October 2025
WiseTech offices searched by AFP and ASIC over share trading allegations – 28 October 2025
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have raided a WiseTech office in Sydney. ASIC and the AFP executed a search warrant requiring the production of documents regarding alleged trading in WiseTech shares by co-founder Richard White and three WiseTech employees. WiseTech says it “intends to fully cooperate with any investigation.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-28/wisetech-office-searched-by-afp-asic/105941382
Son of prominent building industry figure charged over $6m extortion – 27 October 2025
The son of one of the most prominent figures in the building industry is facing extortion charges as part of a taskforce investigation into alleged corruption in the construction sector. Daniel Van Camp, 51, is one of three men due to face court this week following allegations he and two others were part of an extortion campaign that included making demands for $6.6 million in payments to secure union peace.
ASIC stop orders trigger almost $900m in redemptions from La Trobe – 29 October 2025
La Trobe Financial has experienced an almost 50 per cent jump in redemption requests from its high-interest term products over the past two months, after the corporate regulator’s damaging stop order tested confidence in the non-bank lender’s funds and model. The surprise move by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to block new investments in La Trobe’s funds on September 18 sparked concerns that it would be overwhelmed with withdrawal requests.
ATO sidelines official who pursued PwC over tax scandal – 29 October 2025
The man who led a probe into the leaking of confidential government information by PwC partners will be moved to another regulator in a more junior role, a shift that will disrupt multiple inquiries into the firm. Tax Practitioners Board chief executive Michael O’Neill will become a “specialist adviser” to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission from November 24, according to an all-staff email sent by Tax Commissioner Rob Heferen.
Digital access to AFR required to read full article
Meet the man leading AI’s charge in the legal industry – 29 October 2025
Automatise, the company behind litigation artificial intelligence program Cicero AI, is competing in the middle of an AI boom in the legal industry, which has been identified as ripe for disruption for its heavy reliance on painstaking, time-intensive and dreary manual processes such as document review. The technology works by lawyers uploading relevant documents to the software, and inputting questions relevant to the litigation. Cicero will pull out key events, facts and testimony which allows lawyers to build a case more quickly and identify key details that may sway the outcome of litigation.
Former Australian Signals Directorate employee accused of selling trade secrets to Russia by US prosecutors – 29 October 2025
An Australian man who was working for a US-based defence and cyber intelligence contractor has been accused of selling information to a Russian buyer. Multiple sources have told the ABC the accused man used to work for the Australian Signals Directorate, the national intelligence agency responsible for cyber security. The man’s case is due to return to a US court overnight.
Super giant admits it broke corporate law as it faces hefty fine – 29 October 2025
Superannuation giant Cbus has admitted it breached corporate law and agreed it should pay a $23.5 million fine in its bid to settle a landmark case over major delays in its handling of insurance claims.3In a case that put the super industry on notice, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission last year took Cbus to court, alleging “systemic” failures in its handling of death benefits and total and permanent disability insurance claims.
Hundreds of childcare abuse allegations laid bare in Victorian watchdog’s report – 29 October 2025
Almost 1,000 abuse and misconduct allegations were made against early childhood educators in the past year, according to a new report from the Commission for Children and Young People. The number of allegations has risen over the past three years. Hours after the report’s release, it was announced acting principal commissioner Meena Singh would step down from the commission’s top job.
Australian Defence Force changes definition of sexual-related offences in wake of landmark class action – 29 October 2025
The Australian Defence Force quietly changed its definition of sexual-related offences weeks before a landmark class action was launched. The action will allege servicewomen experienced widespread and systemic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination within the institution. Under the new definition, all sexual or sexual-related offences are classified as “violence” rather than “misconduct”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-29/adf-changes-sexual-violence-definition-class-action/105943916
Man charged over alleged multi-million dollar ‘ghost car’ fraud scheme in Sydney – 30 October 2025
In Sydney, a 33-year-old man from Wakeley has been charged in connection with an alleged $7.3 million fraud and money-laundering network operating under Strike Force Myddleton. The syndicate is alleged to have used stolen personal information to apply for loans through automotive finance companies, supposedly to buy luxury “ghost cars” (that didn’t exist).
Regulator fines crypto ATM operator Cryptolink as part of crackdown that is too late for many – 30 October 2025
The financial crimes regulator has taken enforcement action against a second crypto ATM operator. AUSTRAC says crypto ATMs have emerged as a major money-laundering risk, with criminals using them to scam money from a growing number of mostly elderly victims. Banking and consumer advocates have called for a ban on crypto ATMs, which the federal government has so far ruled out, despite similar moves overseas.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 24 October 2025
Fourth largest telco confirms cybersecurity breach impacting 1600 Aussies – 19 October 2025
An Australian internet provider has reported “suspicious activity” as they become the latest telco to face a cybersecurity incident. Vocus, which is the parent company for Dodo and iPrimus, said in a statement that 1600 home internet and mobile customers had been affected by a hack on the businesses email and mobile services.
Myanmar military detains more than 2,000 people in cybercrime centre raid – 21 October 2025
More than 2,000 people have been detained after Myanmar’s military shut down a major online scam operation. It raided KK Park, a well-documented cybercrime centre as part of military operations to suppress online fraud, illegal gambling and cross-border cybercrime. The military also seized dozens of Starlink satellite internet terminals.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-21/myanmar-military-shuts-down-cybercrime-centre/105917612
The next NDIS’: Employers call for inquiry into $7 billion government scheme – 21 October 2025
Struggling Queensland business owners are calling for an inquiry into a $7 billion scheme they fear is allowing opportunistic employees to rake in hefty sums in shonky workers’ compensation claims. Employers Rodney Johnston and Rex Vegt claim they’ve been forced to hire private investigators to look into allegedly bogus Workcover Queensland claims filed by employees.
Insurer under scrutiny after $14m in bonuses awarded just before huge misconduct fine – 21 October 2025
It was revealed that senior Australian executives at Bupa received more than A$14 million in performance bonuses just months before the insurer admitted to misleading thousands of policy-holders about their entitlement to certain medical treatments. The timing of the bonuses has drawn scrutiny, as it appears the reward structure may have been out of step with customer outcomes and regulatory exposures.
Services Australia refers seven staff to federal prosecutors – 22 October 2025
Services Australia referred seven staff to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) for suspected internal fraud in the 2024-25 financial year, its latest annual report shows.
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Advisor fights ban over billion dollar super collapse – 23 October 2025
Financial advisor Karina Ferris Merhi appeared in court fighting ASIC’s attempt to prevent him from providing financial advice during their investigation into the billion-dollar collapse of First Guardian and Shield investment schemes. Around 12,000 Australians lost over a billion dollars in retirement savings, with ASIC alleging Merhi netted millions in upfront advice fees by directing clients to invest their superannuation into the failed schemes. Court evidence revealed Merhi’s plans to restart his advisory business through ‘Venture Egg 2.0’ despite the ongoing probe.
eSafety commissioner demands transparency from AI chatbot companies – 23 October 2025
The eSafety Commissioner has sent four separate legal letters to AI chatbot companies, demanding answers regarding safety protocols following horrific cases that have surfaced overseas.
Misconduct that led Westpac to shut down RAMS revealed in court docs – 23 October 2025
New court documents reveal that Westpac’s mortgage-franchise brand RAMS Home Loans was subject to investigations for systemic failures and misconduct, leading Westpac to shut it down mid-last year.
Senior CFMEU official sacked over ‘accepting bribes’ – 23 October 2025
One of the most senior officials in the CFMEU Victoria branch, who was recently promoted by the union administration, has been fired over allegations that he took bribes and other corrupting benefits from labour hire firms. CFMEU administrator Mark Irving, KC, sent a message to Victorian delegates late on Thursday that Victorian branch co-ordinator John Perkovic’s role was no longer tenable due to “compelling” evidence of the allegations.
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ADF facing landmark class action over alleged systemic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination – 24 October 2025
Brisbane-based law firm JGA Saddler anticipates thousands of women will ultimately form part of a landmark class action against the Australian Defence Force. The class action, which was officially launched in the Federal Court today, will allege widespread and systemic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination within the institution. It will operate on an opt-out basis, meaning all women who served from November 12, 2003 to May 25, 2025 will be automatically enrolled.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-24/adf-class-action-alleged-sexual-violence-harassment/105926114
