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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 19 September 2025
Australian men charged with allegedly trafficking firearms after international kidnapping investigation – 13 September 2025
Two Australian men have been charged with allegedly trafficking firearms to a paramilitary group in Indonesia. The armed rebels kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in 2023, which sparked a two-year international investigation. A Queensland man and a New South Wales man are due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 17 charged with multiple offences.
Dezi Freeman search at Porepunkah now Australia’s largest tactical police deployment – 14 September 2025
Hundreds of officers from Victoria, interstate, the Australian Federal Police and the army continue to search dense, rugged bushland in Victoria’s north-east for the fugitive, who has now been on the run for 20 days. This is a really highly technical search that requires absolutely specialist capabilities to undertake because of the dangers that are involved.
Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson found to have breached code of conduct – 15 September 2025
Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has been found to have breached the council’s code of conduct. The city council accepted a finding that an email circulated by Cr Thompson was unfair and unreasonable. Cr Thompson has rejected all claims against him.
ANZ faces $240 million penalty for misconduct – 15 September 2025
The ANZ Bank has been slammed by the financial regulator for betraying the trust of Australians and ripping off the federal government. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission, ASIC, is asking a court to hit the bank with a $240 million penalty. ASIC says the bank’s widespread misconduct involved shonky bond trading for the government as well as failures to pay correct interest rates, refund fees charged to dead people and help struggling customers.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/pm/anz-faces-240-million-penalty-for-misconduct-/105776424
‘Whole attack surface has changed’: Fake financials are a thing – 16 September 2025
Everyone seems to have a scam story about how a person or AI agent pretending to be from Amazon or Australia Post tried to scam them or their parents, even Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who says he nearly fell for one. But what caught our ears at the Financial Review Cyber Summit is how this has crossed into the intersection of corporate Australia and markets, where information (or misinformation) is a tradeable commodity that can send shares up or down almost instantly.
How Did Whistleblower Evidence Topple Super Retail Group CEO? – 17 September 2025
New evidence from Federal Court proceedings has led to the sacking of Super Retail CEO Anthony Heraghty, ending a saga of alleged misconduct at the Brisbane-based retailer. The controversy began in November 2023 when an anonymous tip to the company’s whistleblower platform, Whispli, alleged a secret relationship between Heraghty and former head of human resources Jane Kelly. Internal complaints also highlighted misuse of company resources and travel, as well as alleged inappropriate conduct, though Super Retail has denied these claims.
GIM Trading director Darren Geddes blocked from leaving Australia in court order – 17 September 2025
The corporate watchdog has taken action against an Australian company accused of defrauding investors of their life-savings. This week, the ABC revealed Global Investment Marketing, known as GIM Trading, had raised millions of dollars from customers who believed they were buying corporate or government bonds. However, customers suspect the bonds were never purchased and their money is now missing, feared stolen. The former public face of the company, Stephen Cubis, told the ABC he believed GIM Trading had operated a fraudulent scheme.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-17/asic-court-order-gim-trading-bond-fraud-allegations/105782628
Prominent crime figures sentenced following illicit tobacco investigation – 17 September 2025
Two men, with links to serious organised crime entities and outlaw motorcycle gangs, have been sentenced for importing and distributing more than 10.6 million illicit cigarettes with an estimated duty evasion of over AUD $13 million. Both men pled guilty to all charges after being arrested in late 2023 following a joint operation in NSW.
The rotten advice at the core of super’s $1.2b fail – 17 September 2025
There is one great thing to come out of a superannuation scandal that could cost investors $1.2 billion. It has revealed the tricks that some financial advisers and their associated lead generators used to entice people to invest in First Guardian, Shield Master Trust and Australian Fiduciaries.
The statements of advice given to clients by financial advisers at Venture Egg and MWL Financial, both now under investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, had a number of red flags.
Kmart broke privacy laws by using facial recognition technology, commissioner finds – 18 September 2025
Retail giant Kmart broke privacy laws by using facial recognition technology (FRT) on its customers, the privacy commissioner has found. Over the two years until July 2022, Kmart captured the facial data of “tens or hundreds of thousands” of customers at store entrances and return counters, in an attempt to tackle refund fraud. But after a three-year investigation, privacy commissioner Carly Kind found Kmart’s use of FRT was disproportionate, and the company did not gain consent to use it on shoppers.
Chinese cars pose cyber security risk – 18 September 2025
Cyber security expert Alistair McGibbon has warned Australian public officials against using Chinese-made vehicles, claiming they could function as mobile surveillance devices with potential for remote control. He argues these cars pose national security risks as manufacturers maintain constant connectivity and could theoretically disable safety features or access onboard data. More than 140,000 Chinese-made vehicles have been sold in Australia this year, while the US has announced plans to ban certain Chinese and Russian car hardware and software from 2027.
NT sports star and school staffer committed to stand trial on student sex charges – 18 September 2025
A decorated athlete will have charges of having sex with a student at a school where he worked dealt with in the Northern Territory Supreme Court later this year.
The man aged in his 30s is accused of “grooming” the girl via text, with prosecutors describing his conduct as “brazen” and “calculating”. The man is yet to enter a plea and will remain on bail until his case returns to court in October.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 12 September 2025
Doctor struck off medical register after sexual misconduct with patient – 6 September 2025
A 55-YEAR-OLD South African doctor practising in Australia has been struck off the medical register after being found guilty of having a sexual relationship with a vulnerable 24-year-old patient suffering from mental health issues and alcoholism. Dr Indren Moodley was also found to have dangerously prescribed high-risk medication and has been banned from practising medicine for four years.
Australian police officer accused of gold laundering linked to gambling – 8 September 2025
A former New South Wales police officer has been accused of committing serious misconduct after allegedly selling AU$1.3m (US$851,000) worth of family-owned gold bars to fund a gambling addiction. The case was triggered by intelligence from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
Accused Broken Hill ATM fraudster gets tighter bail conditions over flight concerns – 9 September 2025
A Broken Hill man is facing fraud charges relating to nearly $1 million under two separate names. Lyndon Jake Pace’s bail conditions were tightened after police removed him from a plane while he was heading interstate. He will return to court in September.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-09/broken-hill-atm-fraud-charges-tighter-bail/105748236
FAAA aware of cases of unlicensed SMSF and property advice – 9 September 2025
The Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) has confirmed it is aware of cases of unlicensed SMSF and property-related advice and will pass serious misconduct on to regulators. These practices not only breach the Corporations Act but also expose naive investors to unnecessary risks while undermining licensed advisers who are bound by best interests duties.
https://www.ifa.com.au/news/36200-faaa-aware-of-cases-of-unlicensed-smsf-and-property-advice
Former PwC boss Tom Seymour black-listed by Tax Practitioners Board over tax leak scandal – 9 September 2025
The Tax Practitioners Board has black-listed former PwC boss Tom Seymour for failing to prevent the deliberate misuse and leaking of confidential government tax information in a scandal which rocked the consulting giant. Mr Seymour was forced to resign from the consulting giant in May 2023 following revelations its head of international tax Peter Collins shared the government’s confidential tax plans to block multinational companies from shifting their profits overseas.
Westpac had warnings of widespread misconduct at RAMS Home Loans – 10 September 2025
Westpac’s investigation into misconduct across its now-closed RAMS Home Loan network found concerns at more than half of its franchisees and gave just five a clean bill of health, new court filings show. The internal probe of the network, with its 70 franchisees, took place in 2022, was known as Project Guardian and cost the bank $46 million. Westpac, the country’s second-largest mortgage lender, absorbed a $31.8 billion RAMS loan portfolio last August after the investigation concluded that there was serious misconduct at several franchises.
Police allege illegal tobacco mastermind dodged $30 million in taxes, fuelled crime in Victoria – 11 September 2025
Police say they have arrested the ringleader behind a major illegal tobacco syndicate in Victoria. A 49-year-old Coburg North man was arrested and a large amount of illegal tobacco was seized. A 29-year-old man also faces charges linked to illegal tobacco.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-11/melbourne-illegal-tobacco-arrest/105760448
Major builder joins call for royal commission into Vic rorts claims – 11 September 2025
A senior building executive and state and federal oppositions have called for a royal commission to investigate whether Victoria’s Allan government knew about rorting, intimidation and kickbacks at major infrastructure projects as far back as 2023. Premier Jacinta Allan said she passed on corruption allegations about the state’s Big Build projects – which occurred when she was transport and infrastructure minister – to relevant authorities but did not follow them up.
Fertility Society rocked by allegations of $3m fraud as D-day looms on regulator’s future – 11 September 2025
Shocking allegations of embezzlement at the fertility industry’s peak body have been revealed. A person who worked as an external contractor to the society is suspected of transferring amounts totalling more than $3 million into a personal bank account between 2018 and 2023, disguised as “supplier expenses”.
Australia court freezes AU$53m as ASIC probes gambling claims – 11 September 2025
Australia’s Federal Court has extended freezing orders against First Mutual Private Equity and director Gregory Raymond Cotton, as part of ASIC investigation into suspected misuse of investor funds. The regulator alleges approximately AU$53 million may have been used for gambling activities rather than legitimate investments.
https://www.igamingtoday.com/australia-court-freezes-au53m-as-asic-probes-gambling-claims/
Regional manager’s procurement decisions defended in international logistics dismissal – 12 September 2025
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently dealt with a regional manager’s dismissal, which had allegations of procurement misconduct and policy breaches. The case arose when the logistics company dismissed the worker following an internal audit that questioned her use of supplier engagement processes during the establishment of Australian operations, leading to serious allegations of embezzlement, fraud, and corruption. The worker argued she was unfairly dismissed.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 5 September 2025
Demand for urgent inquiry into $1.2b super scandal – 29 August 2025
Financial advisers and the opposition are demanding the government expedite probes into the collapse of investment schemes collectively worth $1.2 billion that has left superannuation savers suffering heavy losses. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is investigating the failed Shield Master Fund, First Guardian Master Fund and Australian Fiduciaries. About 11,000 investors are exposed.
Beauty giant Mecca faces ASIC investigation over secretive accounting – 29 August 2025
Mecca Brands, the cosmetics giant owned by billionaire founder Jo Horgan and her husband Peter Wetenhall, is being investigated by the corporate regulator over the secretive way that it has provided its accounts, including the years-long existence of a little-known corporate entity. The Australian Financial Review revealed this week that Mecca had paid out a $110 million dividend after revenues surged to more than $1.4 billion in the 12 months to December 31. Other accounts lodged by the company did not give a true picture of Mecca’s overall performance or dividends.
‘Pitiful’ Melbourne lawyer Dean Hadjina caught stealing from grieving widow – 30 August 2025
A Melbourne lawyer has been caught stealing close to $500,000 from a grieving widow, after concocting an elaborate cover story to deceive the woman. Victoria’s Supreme Court heard Dean Hadjina’s scheme included grandiose promises, fake court cases and fabricated legal documents. A judge says Hadjina will be taken into custody at his next court hearing in September.
Federal Court hears details of Optus’s ‘unconscionable’ conduct – 2 September 2025
Australia’s competition watchdog has detailed its submissions about unconscionable conduct by telecommunications giant Optus. The Federal Court heard one example of how telco staff “input false information on credit checks” when selling its services to a woman living with an intellectual disability. The hearing, to determine whether to approve a $100m penalty against the telco, has been adjourned.
After NT Supreme Court guilty verdict, here’s what could happen next in Matt Wright’s criminal case – 2 September 2025
Matt Wright’s criminal trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court left few stones unturned in exposing the events that followed a fatal 2022 helicopter crash to the harsh light of public scrutiny. The celebrity crocodile wrangler was found guilty on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice by trying to impede investigations into the crash that killed his close friend and Netflix co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson. But while the verdict provided some measure of closure for Mr Wilson’s family and pilot Sebastian Robinson, who suffered catastrophic injuries in the crash, some unanswered questions remain.
Whistleblower protection authority shot down by Senate committee – 2 September 2025
A Senate committee has recommended against establishing an independent whistleblower protection authority, citing concerns about regulatory duplications and other issues.
Financial adviser banned for six years – 2 September 2025
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has banned financial adviser Milutin Petrovic for six years following serious breaches of client obligations at the now-liquidated United Global Capital. ASIC found Petrovic failed key advice requirements when recommending clients invest retirement savings into products linked to his employer. The regulator determined he provided defective advice that prioritised his licensee’s interests over those of his clients.
https://www.brokernews.com.au/news/breaking-news/financial-adviser-banned-for-six-years-287916.aspx
Two charged by Victorian corruption watchdog after Operation Sandon investigation into Casey council – 3 September 2025
Two people have been charged by Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog after a seven-year investigation into planning and property development decisions by the City of Casey in Melbourne’s south-east. IBAC’s final report from Operation Sandon, tabled in Victorian Parliament in 2023, found developer John Woodman paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for councillor support for projects in the outer growth area. IBAC has today announced that a former Casey councillor had been charged with five offences, including receiving secret commissions, misconduct in public office and misuse of position.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-03/operation-sandon-casey-council-ibac-charges/105730716
Australia regulator fines SocGen unit $2.5 million over suspicious futures orders – 3 September 2025
An Australian regulator said on Tuesday that a review panel has fined a local unit of French lender Societe Generale (SOGN.PA), opens new tab A$3.88 million ($2.52 million) for failing to prevent suspicious orders in the electricity and wheat futures markets. An investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) found that Societe Generale Securities Australia, one of the largest participants on the ASX 24 derivatives market, allowed two of its clients to place 33 suspicious orders between May 2023 and February 2024.
David Pocock, Larissa Waters, Fatima Payman lead calls for urgent driving instructor reform after allegations of sexual assault – 3 September 2025
Political pressure is being placed on the federal government to help protect learner drivers from sexual assault. An ABC investigation heard from more than 300 people alleging their instructors sexually harassed or assaulted them, many when they were still minors. Transport ministers will meet before the end of the year.
Investigation launched after childcare centre gives wrong child to grandparent – 3 September 2025
A toddler was missing for several hours after a grandparent picked up the wrong child from a Sydney childcare centre.
The childcare centre apologised to the parents, saying an investigation has been launched. An educator has been stood down over the incident.
Pharmacist’s stolen image used in ‘dangerous’ deepfake adverts for weight loss drug – 4 September 2025
An angry pharmacist says unidentified fraudsters have used her image without consent to promote weight loss drugs online. Mary Baker’s photo was manipulated alongside a fabricated weight loss “success” story shared on social media. An internet studies expert says scams like this are becoming common, but legal action is costly and can take a lot of effort.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 29 August 2025
Academics raise alarm over suspected AI use in Deloitte report – 22 August 2025
A major report for government by Deloitte is littered with citation errors prompting concern it may have been generated by artificial intelligence, but the consultancy claims it merely got the titles and, in some cases, dates and publishers incorrect. Chris Rudge, a welfare academic at Sydney University, discovered the errors in a report by Deloitte for the Department of Workplace Relations (DEWR) on the IT system used to automate penalties in the welfare system such as pauses on the dole.
Kmart faces legal action in Australia over potential forced labour links – 22 August 2025
Earlier this month an Australian-based Uyghur group launched legal action against Kmart in the federal court. The case has put the retailer’s supply chain under scrutiny for potential links to forced labour in China’s Xinjiang province.
Nour Haydar speaks with senior reporter Ben Doherty about the legal action against Kmart and the warnings that Australia could become a dumping ground for products linked to forced labour.
Tasmanian racing stewards stood down pending investigation over bets, ABC understands – 25 August 2025
The ABC understands two stewards, including the acting chief thoroughbred racing steward, have been stood down while an investigation is conducted into alleged betting. The nature of the alleged betting, including which specific races and amounts alleged to be wagered, remains unclear. In a statement, the racing minister says the government has “delivered the biggest reforms in decades to strengthen our racing industry, just like we said we would”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-25/tasmanian-racing-stewards-alleged-betting/105694118
How NSW Health uses children in illicit tobacco shop stings – 26 August 2025
Teenagers are going undercover in tobacco shop stings and a private contractor is charging the public tens of thousands of dollars, to destroy Vapes in NSW’s desperate attempts to combat black market tobacco.
Access to digital version of SMH required to read article.
Man at centre of NDIS property scheme accused of lavish spending despite having assets frozen by Federal Court – 26 August 2025
The Gold Coast businessman accused of gambling tens of millions of dollars earmarked to build homes for the country’s most disabled has allegedly continued to spend lavishly despite the Federal Court freezing his assets. Mr McWilliams’s case is part of a broader investigation by Four Corners that has found a profound lack of regulation in the disability housing sector, with property sharks using the NDIS name to line their pockets while investors see their life savings evaporate
Google issues emergency warning for all Gmail users – 28 August 2025
Google has sounded the alarm with an emergency warning to all Gmail users, urging extra caution amid a growing cyber threat linked to a major third-party breach. While the company stresses that its own systems remain secure, the incident has opened the door for hackers to exploit stolen data in new and deceptive ways.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/google-issues-emergency-warning-gmail-121037539.html
Whistleblower Richard Boyle avoids conviction and jail after revealing tax office’s unethical behaviour – 28 August 2025
Whistleblower Richard Boyle has been spared jail after exposing unethical debt collection practices at the Australian Taxation Office. Judge Liesl Kudelka sentenced Boyle, 49, in the South Australian district court, seven years after the former debt collection officer went public with allegations that led to reforms within the ATO. In a plea deal with prosecutors, the Adelaide man admitted four criminal charges, reduced from the original 66 laid after he appeared on the ABC’s Four Corners program. Family and supporters sobbed in court when Boyle received no conviction on all four counts, no penalty and a $500 12-month good behaviour bond.
‘Large scale’ cattle duffing in the NT under investigation – 28 August 2025
Police are investigating the alleged theft of hundreds of cattle from an NT cattle station. NT Cattlemen’s Association says it’s not an isolated incident and is calling for a dedicated NT stock squad. One NT cattle producer has pleaded guilty to stock theft in the Top End and will be sentenced next month.
Slater and Gordon chair breaks silence on email crisis – 29 August 2025
Slater and Gordon chairman James MacKenzie was at home when he received a call from a group of senior executives about a damaging email that had been sent to hundreds of staff and would quickly plunge the storied class action law firm into crisis. As soon as he jumped off the call he corralled a crisis team – FMRS Advisory’s Lissie Ratcliff, Minter Ellison’s John Steven and KordaMentha’s Mark Korda – to manage the fallout which consumed the firm and captivated the Australian legal community for days.
https://www.afr.com/politics/slater-and-gordon-chair-breaks-silence-on-email-crisis-20250827-p5mq8c
Slater and Gordon announce class action against Suncorp – 29 August 2025
The Suncorp Group is facing a potential class action over claims it charged loyal customers higher insurance premiums because of their long-term commitment. Slater and Gordon is leading the investigation, which examines whether AAMI, GIO, Apia and Suncorp insurance customers were unfairly punished with inflated premiums for simply sticking with the same provider over time. The law firm has labelled the alleged practice a “loyalty tax,” arguing that it was quietly embedded into policies without customers’ knowledge. “The investigation focuses on allegations that these increased charges were included in premiums without proper disclosure, effectively punishing loyalty to these brands,” said Slater and Gordon.
https://7news.com.au/news/slater-and-gorden-announce-class-action-against-suncorp-c-19835142
Matt Wright found guilty on two counts of hindering chopper crash investigation – 29 August 2025
A jury has found Matt Wright guilty on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, in relation to the aftermath of a fatal 2022 helicopter crash. The Northern Territory Supreme Court jury could not reach a verdict on a third count of the same charge. Wright, who has been bailed until sentencing, told reporters outside court he intends to appeal the verdict.
The months-long investigation that unpicked Iran’s foreign interference plot – 29 August 2025
The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation last week unpicked the thread confirming a link between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and an antisemitic attack in Sydney and Melbourne. That evidence, which can’t be revealed for security reasons, enabled intelligence services to substantiate suspected Iranian interference with “high confidence”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-29/how-irans-antisemitic-attack-plot-came-undone/105709542
