News and Analysis

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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 22 August 2025

Senior lawyer apologises after filing AI-generated submissions in Victorian murder case – 15 August 2025
A senior lawyer has apologised to a Victorian judge for filing submissions in a murder case that included AI-generated errors. The fake submissions included fabricated quotes from a speech to the state legislature and non-existent case citations purportedly from the Supreme Court.
The AI-generated errors caused a 24-hour delay in resolving a case.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/victoria-lawyer-apologises-after-ai-generated-submissions/105661208


Fraud claim rocks Smorgon gold mine deal – 18 August 2025
Companies controlled by the powerful Victor Smorgon Group have been accused of running a dishonest and fraudulent scheme to invalidly acquire a stake in an Australian gold mine at a below-market price. The allegations, which have been strongly denied, were filed in the Federal Court by the Smorgon group’s Chinese partners in the Stawell Gold Mine, and reveal a bitter battle for control of the Victorian project at a time of record high gold prices.

https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/fraud-claim-rocks-smorgon-gold-mine-deal-20250814-p5mn1k


Billions lost on US penny stocks as ‘pump-and-dump’ scams multiply – 18 August 2025
Pump-and-dump frauds targeting U.S. listed Chinese microcaps have recently led to staggering investor losses—around $3.7B in just one month. These schemes are amplified by social media manipulation and fake endorsements. Regulatory bodies have been slow to act despite clear signals, while investors—sometimes at great personal loss—are exploited.

https://www.afr.com/world/asia/billions-lost-on-us-penny-stocks-as-pump-and-dump-scams-multiply-20250818-p5mnup


Candidate fraud: From hiring hurdle to business threat – 18 August 2025
Recruiting leaders are increasingly concerned about candidates using GenAI tools to deceive employers when they don’t have the right skills or qualifications. Improvements in GenAI-created text, image and audio (deepfakes) are enabling this activity. Gartner predicts 25 per cent of candidate profiles globally will be fake by 2028.

https://www.hrleader.com.au/people/27173-candidate-fraud-from-hiring-hurdle-to-business-threat


Whistleblowers Remain Unprotected as Government Fails to Implement Promised Reforms – 19 August 2025
Key points from this paper are:
-Whistleblower protections remain inadequate across sectors, including universities;
-Reform efforts under the Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Act have stalled; and
-Independent advocacy is pushing for a formal oversight body.

https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/whistleblowers-remain-unprotected-as-government-fails-to-implement-promised-reforms/


Internet provider iiNet hit in cyberattack, 280k customers’ data exposed – 12 August 2025
Australia – 22 August 2025s third-largest internet provider has been hit in a massive data breach, exposing details belonging to 280,000 customers. Internet and telecommunications company iiNet released a statement confirming an unknown third party had gained access to its order management system. “Early investigations suggest the unauthorised access was gained using stolen account credentials from one employee,” the statement read.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/security/internet-provider-iinet-hit-in-cyberattack-280k-customers-data-exposed/news-story/15063c1d4c84dc5403fa83f66b0a8924


West Aussies have lost $30 million to celebrity and cryptocurrency scams since 2024 – 19 August 2025
West Australians are increasingly being duped by celebrity and crypto cons, resulting in millions of dollars being stolen. New research by WA ScamNet revealed that almost 50 WA residents have fallen victim to investment scams in 2025, resulting in $10.8 million being stolen. In 2024 alone, 76 WA victims reported handing over nearly $19.4 million to scammers and their schemes. One victim was reported to have lost an astonishing $10 million after being lured in by a “deepfake” online celebrity endorsement video.

https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/west-aussies-have-lost-30-million-to-celebrity-and-cryptocurrency-scams-since-2024-c-19732672


A practical guide to whistleblowing in Australia – 20 August 2025
Australia’s whistleblower regime under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), provides protections for people who speak up about corporate misconduct or wrongdoing. The Whistleblower Laws aren’t just about supporting those who raise a complaint, they also set out clear obligations for organisations to comply with. This paper outlines Australias whistleblower regime and tells why it’s essential for businesses to understand what’s required when someone ‘blows the whistle.’

https://hamiltonlocke.com.au/a-practical-guide-to-whistleblowing-in-australia/


Report has revealed widespread concerns among Queensland public servants, with many too afraid to report corruption over fears of retaliation – 20 August 2025
Nearly six thousand government workers took part in the review, which highlighted alarming levels of distrust, whistleblower fears and concerns over recruitment practices. The review, conducted by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), surveyed almost 6000 staff across the state. More than half of respondents – 55 per cent – said they had either witnessed or possibly witnessed corrupt behaviour in that time. The findings show nine in ten workers suspect some form of corruption is happening around them. Seven in ten said they would recognise corrupt behaviour if they saw it, and three in four said they would report it. Yet more than half – 52 per cent – believed they would face negative consequences if they spoke up.

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/report-has-revealed-widespread-concerns-among-queensland-public-servants-with-many-too-afraid-to-report-corruption-over-fears-of-retaliation/news-story/19ee1160ae2f7951834b9a02ea1ff039


‘It’s out of control’: Organised crime gangs strike Rebel stores – 21 August 2025
Organised thieves targeting Rebel Sport stores in Victoria are having such a financial impact on its parent, ASX-listed Super Retail Group, that management flagged it with analysts and investors at the group’s full-year results on Thursday. Super Retail chief executive Anthony Heraghty, who is embroiled in a Federal Court battle brought by two former employees, said highly organised criminals were entering the company’s sporting goods stores to steal thousands of dollars worth of high-value items that could be easily resold through online marketplaces.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/it-s-out-of-control-organised-crime-gangs-strike-rebel-stores-20250821-p5moq5.html


Postal worker charged over alleged $1.4m fraud from stolen bank cards in Sydney – 22 August 2025s east – 22 August 2025
A 56-year-old postal worker is accused of stealing bank cards and other items from mail in Sydney – 22 August 2025s east. Police allege he supplied the stolen cards to two separate criminal syndicates, resulting in $1.4 million worth of fraud. Two other men were charged in connection and all three men are due before court next month.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/nsw-sydney-postal-worker-charged-over-alleged-bank-fraud/105685680


Doctor accused of secretly filming colleagues has – 22 August 2025complex – 22 August 2025 mental health issues, court hears – 22 August 2025
Ryan Cho, who is accused of secretly filming hundreds of women in hospital toilets and bathrooms, has been granted bail. Dr Cho – 22 August 2025s bail conditions include living with his parents and a ban from attending hospitals unless in an emergency.
Dr Cho – 22 August 2025s lawyer said he expected hundreds more charges would be laid by the end of the year.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/trainee-surgeon-ryan-cho-granted-bail/105686442


Mackay Sugar fined $100,000 after accident severs worker – 22 August 2025s fingers – 22 August 2025
Mackay Sugar has been fined $100,000 after an employee partially severed three fingers in 2021. The court heard a pump was “poorly maintained” with no belt guards, which contributed to the breach of workplace health and safety laws. Mackay Sugar says it has implemented safety upgrades in the years since the incident.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/sugar-prosecution-three-fingers-severed/105684872


Victorian school teacher charged with soliciting child abuse material – 22 August 2025
Victorian teacher, Harley James Caldwell, has been charged with child abuse material offences. His employer, Irymple Secondary College, says there is no information to suggest a student or former students are involved. The teacher will face court in October.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/victorian-teacher-charged-child-abuse-material-irymple-secondary/105684270

 

Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 15 August 2025

ATMs linked to illicit tobacco trade and fraudster in Australia – 10 August 2025
NCR Atleos has placed Cashzone ATMs in stores linked to Australia’s illegal tobacco trade, despite the company’s claims of high ethical standards and compliance with laws. The ATMs are fueling the sale of contraband cigarettes, and the tie is the latest found in an ABC investigation examining how private ATM suppliers are supporting the illicit tobacco trade.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-11/ncr-atleos-cashzone-atm-linked-illegal-tobacco-trade/105623984


Quarter of poker machines in NSW clubs could be susceptible to money laundering, agency says – 11 August 2025
A quarter of poker machines in NSW clubs could be at risk of money laundering and terrorism financing, the nation’s financial crimes intelligence agency says.
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre says a program monitoring the machines run by BetSafe “systemically failed” to meet its legal obligations.
It comes as the agency turns its attention to clubs after successfully prosecuting several casinos across the country.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-11/quarter-nsw-club-pokies-susceptible-money-laundering-austrac/105631100


Truck driver ordered to pay more than $80,000 after compensation fraud – 11 August 2025
A Melbourne truck driver, 41, must pay more than $80,000 after pleading guilty to a single charge of fraudulently obtaining payments from employers. The court heard he continued driving for multiple companies while receiving weekly compensation (for anxiety, depression etc) until May 2023, when surveillance determined he was self-employed and the payments were terminated on grounds of fraud.

https://bigrigs.com.au/2025/08/11/truck-driver-ordered-to-pay-more-than-80000-after-compensation-fraud/


AI chatbots accused of encouraging teen suicide as experts sound alarm – 12 August 2025
An investigation by triple j hack has uncovered allegations of young people in Australia being sexually harassed and even encouraged to take their own life by AI chatbots. AI experts are calling on the government to introduce legislation to better regulate AI chatbots to protect young and vulnerable people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-12/how-young-australians-being-impacted-by-ai/105630108


KPMG, Deloitte, PwC exit 35 professionals over misconduct – 12 August 2025
Three of the big four consulting firms – KPMG, Deloitte and PwC – have exited 35 staff for misconduct, including sexual harassment and data breaches. The firms began disclosing misconduct complaints, with different reporting methods and varied transparency, after a series of reports in The Australian Financial Review detailed how they handled sexual harassment and other issues.

https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/kpmg-deloitte-pwc-exit-35-professionals-over-misconduct-20250812-p5mmax

Access to digital version of AFR required to read full article


NAB and AFSH penalised $15.5 million for failing customers facing financial hardship – 13 August 2025
The Federal Court has ordered National Australia Bank (NAB) and its subsidiary, AFSH Nominees Pty Ltd (AFSH), to pay a pecuniary penalty of $15.5 million for failing to respond to customers facing hardship. The Court found that between 2018 and 2023, NAB and AFSH failed to respond to 345 hardship applications within the 21-day timeframe required by law. As a result, those consumers remained unaware of the outcome of their hardship applications.

https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2025-releases/25-165mr-nab-and-afsh-penalised-15-5-million-for-failing-customers-facing-financial-hardship/#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Court%20has%20ordered,respond%20to%20customers%20facing%20hardship.


Another PwC former partner deregistered for integrity breaches – 13 August 2025
A former PricewaterhouseCoopers partner has been deregistered as a tax agent for dodgy practices and false declarations while he was with the firm. The Tax Practitioners Board has terminated the registration of Richard Gregg and imposed a four-year ban prohibiting him from re-applying for a tax agent licence due to having breached multiple obligations under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and the Code of Professional Conduct. The ATO determined the clients affected by Mr Gregg’s conduct had a cumulative tax shortfall of more than $11 million.

https://region.com.au/another-pwc-former-partner-deregistered-for-integrity-breaches/894156/


Victorian childcare worker retained Working with Children Check despite being blacklisted – 13 August 2025
A string of regulatory failings saw a Victorian childcare worker retain his Working with Children Check — despite being blacklisted from the industry after an investigation found he was grooming toddlers. The saga raises questions about whether the bodies that oversee the troubled sector missed opportunities to intervene earlier. Hours after the ABC published its investigation into the case on Wednesday, the state government said it was moving to cancel the man’s Working with Children Check.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-13/vic-blacklisted-childcare-retained-working-with-children-check/105636456


Superfund charged dead members: ASIC – 14 August 2025
Mercer Super is being sued for “serious member service issues”, including failing to refund dead people’s insurance premiums, the consumer watchdog alleges. The reviews investigated how funds had not being refunded correctly after a member had died, how members’ accounts were not being created with default insurance and how updates to members’ information were not being processed by the trustee.

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/super-fund-charged-dead-members-014638452.html


Increased harm: The crimes nearly half of Australians have fallen victim to – 14 August 2025
A report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found identity theft accounted for more than one in five victims (22 per cent), while fraudsters and scammers duped almost one in 10 (9.5 per cent). Some of the respondents either paid money or provided sensitive information to a scammer offering them either the false promise of an inheritance, share in a large sum of money or a holiday package in exchange for their help. The Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report also showed 27 per cent were targeted with online abuse or harassment, which is classified as a cybercrime.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/nearly-half-of-australias-internet-users-fell-victim-to-cybercrime-last-year-survey-finds/49180tkmx


Former Genius Childcare boss Darren Misquitta pleads guilty to dealing with suspected proceeds of crime – 14 August 2025
Darren Misquitta, former boss of Genius Childcare, has pleaded guilty to dealing with property reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime. A court heard he received $120,000 in suspected proceeds of crime from a business associate. It comes amid investigations into the childcare centre, which owes creditors more than $80 million.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-14/genius-childcare-darren-misquitta-guilty-plea/105653390


UK police say 146 victims have come forward during Mohamed Al Fayed sexual offences probe – 14 August 2025
British police say 146 people are now being treated as victims of late Harrods boss and Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed. That is a substantial increase on figures provided in previous updates by the Metropolitan Police. Authorities say they are investigating whether any misconduct or corruption was involved in facilitating or enabling Al Fayed’s abuse.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-14/met-police-say-146-people-come-forward-over-al-fayed/105650392


19 arrested for allegedly stealing $10 million worth of baby formula and other items – 15 August 2025
Police say they’ve dismantled an alleged major retail theft syndicate that allegedly stole more than $10 million worth of products from Melbourne supermarkets in a five-month period. The items stolen include baby formula, medicine, vitamins and electric toothbrushes. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests are anticipated.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/baby-formula-medicine-thefts-criminal-syndicate-melbourne/105657012

 

Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 1 August 2025

Why Australia’s fraud detection needs a fresh approach – 1 August 2025
As fraud becomes smarter, detection requires more than just tech. Boards, staff and auditors must work together to fight cyber and internal fraud risks. Emerging fraud types such as cyber-enabled scams and synthetic identities demand both advanced technology and a strong internal culture to detect. Experts warn that ethical leadership, proactive education and a questioning culture are the most effective — and affordable — tools against fraud.

https://intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au/business-and-finance/why-australias-fraud-detection-needs-fresh-approach


Lawyer for ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle urges court not to impose convictions – 1 August 2025
ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle says he should not have any convictions recorded against him because he was acting in the public interest when he raised concerns about the agency.
The prosecutor told the court, Boyle’s motivations did not change the fact he acted unlawfully. Boyle will be sentenced later this month.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-01/ato-whistleblower-richard-boyle-faces-sentencing-hearing/105599954


No respite for Brindabella directors as liquidators to press investigations – 1 August 2025
Liquidators of the company that ran Brindabella Christian College will continue to investigate its affairs and lodge a report with the corporate regulator. The Second Creditors Meeting held on Thursday (31 July) voted to wind up Brindabella Christian Education Ltd in the wake of a damning report from Deloitte administrators, which alleged multiple breaches of the Corporations ACT, including some that could bring criminal charges. The school reform group welcomed the decision to appoint liquidators and called for greater scrutiny from regulators of charities and private schools.

https://region.com.au/no-respite-for-brindabella-directors-as-liquidators-to-press-investigations/890990/


Telco uses AI chatbots to keep scammers hanging on the line – 3 August 2025
AI chatbots are being used by telco firm TPG to scam the scammers, engaging them in fake conversations to reveal their schemes and the types of organisations they are impersonating. TPG’s trial with Apate.ai, which started in April and runs to the end of August, has diverted around 280,000 scam calls to the chatbots so far.

https://www.afr.com/companies/telecommunications/telco-uses-ai-chatbots-to-keep-scammers-hanging-on-the-line-20250717-p5mfre


Action at Last from Regulators on $1 Billion Superannuation Scams – 4 August 2025
Regulators have decided to come down hard on superannuation scams. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) chair Joe Longo said the regulator had doubled the number of investigations into misconduct by financial advisors to send a strong signal that it would not tolerate any actions that reduced confidence in the $4.2b superannuation system. That confidence has taken a significant hit this year with the failure of the managed investment schemes Shield Master Fund and First Guardian, threatening around $1b of superannuation savings belonging to around 11,000 people.

https://smallcaps.com.au/action-at-last-on-dollar-billion-super-scams/


Australia: an increasingly global approach to criminal investigations – 4 August 2025
This article considers the major Australian government investigative, law enforcement and regulatory agencies involved in domestic and transnational investigations, with a particular focus on their global approach to adequately protect Australians from criminal threats, both local and international. The article examines the new internationalised mindset of Australian law enforcement, the effects of globalisation and the increased level of international collaboration between government agencies, as well as the tools and techniques utilised by these agencies to address the increasingly complex and ‘borderless’ nature of investigations.

https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/review/the-asia-pacific-investigations-review/2026/article/australia-increasingly-global-approach-criminal-investigations


Bizarre Albanese deepfake scam ads on YouTube promise tax ‘dividends’ – 4 August 2025
A deepfake clone of Anthony Albanese has appeared on a new wave of AI-generated scam ads targeting Australians on YouTube, prompting demands for the tech giant and the government to do more to prevent them. The bizarre scam sends users to a website purporting to be for Canadian broadcaster CTV, spruiking how “citizens can officially receive up to $3000 per month”.

https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/deepfake-albanese-scam-ads-on-youtube-promise-tax-dividends-20250804-p5mk42


Michael Grochowski’s Deceptive Empire: A $24 Million Landbanking Fraud – 5 August 2025
In the annals of Australian financial misconduct, few cases are as egregious as the landbanking schemes orchestrated by Michael Grochowski and Ian Edward Stephens. These two individuals, operating under the guise of legitimate property developers, preyed on the trust of unsophisticated investors, luring them into schemes that promised lucrative returns but delivered only financial devastation. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) exposed their operations, revealing a web of deceit that raised over $24 million through fraudulent landbanking ventures in Victoria. This article delves into the sordid details of their schemes, the devastating impact on victims, and the systemic failures that allowed such misconduct to flourish, painting a damning portrait of Grochowski and Stephens’ legacy of greed and betrayal.

https://www.rp.rv.ua/3590788726-michael-grochowskis-deceptive-empire-a-24-million-landbanking-fraud.html


Financial Crime Squad charge additional two allegedly involved in fraud syndicate; $53 million now restrained by NSWC – 5 August 2025
Detectives from State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad have charged an additional two people allegedly involved in a highly sophisticated fraud and money laundering syndicate operating across Sydney. In January 2024, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad and the NSW Crime Commission launched an investigation into a criminal syndicate targeting Sydney automotive financing companies under Strike Force Myddleton.

https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMTE5OTk1Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D


Australian police accuse ex-cop of leading $190M money laundering scheme – report – 5 August 2025
AUSTRALIAN police have accused Michael Featherstone, a former Queensland detective, of running a $190 million (US$ 123 million) money-laundering network, according to reports. Mr Featherstone, once a fraud squad officer and later a private investigator, allegedly coordinated the operation, according to court filings by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

https://www.amlintelligence.com/2025/08/news-australian-police-accuse-ex-cop-of-leading-190m-money-laundering-scheme-report/


Man accused of defrauding 98-year-old victim learns fate in freedom bid – 6 August 2025
An Indian national accused of swindling thousands of dollars from a vulnerable elderly woman in Portland has failed in his second bid at bail despite offering a $5000 surety.

https://www.standard.net.au/story/9029874/court-to-decide-on-bail-in-portland-elder-bank-scam-case/

Digital version of standard required to read article


Four people charged with money laundering in fake investment scam – 7 August 2025
Dimitrios (James) Podaridis, Peter Delis, Bassilios (Bill) Floropoulos, and Harry Tsalikidis, all from Victoria, have been charged with money laundering offences for their involvement in investment scams targeting individual investors. ASIC alleges that between January and July 2021, the four were involved in facilitating a sophisticated financial investment scam targeting Australian investors offering fraudulent bonds and other financial products (bonds scam). ASIC alleges that the four dealt with victim funds which were the proceeds of crime and were reckless as to whether those funds were proceeds of crime.

https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2025-releases/25-156mr-four-people-charged-with-money-laundering-in-fake-investment-scam/


Man arrested in alleged $38m fraud scheme to remain in custody – 8 August 2025
A man allegedly involved in a massive $38m fraud scheme will remain in custody on remand after his arrest at a $37,000-a-month Barangaroo penthouse rental. NSW Police began investigating a luxury “ghost car” loan fraud scheme in January 2024 but now say the alleged scam run wider into large-scale personal, business and home loan fraud.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/man-arrested-in-alleged-38m-fraud-scheme-to-remain-in-custody/news-story/842e40dc02c30e8d97c47db39701a4d5


SW attorney-general approves $2 million compensation payment to Kathleen Folbigg after release from prison – 8 August 2025
The NSW attorney-general has granted $2 million in compensation to Kathleen Folbigg, who was wrongly accused of murdering her four children between 1989 and 1999. The decision comes two years after she was released from prison after 20 years. Ms Folbigg’s solicitor says an inquiry needs to occur to understand how the government decided on the figure.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-07/kathleen-folbigg-wins-compensation-for-wrongful-conviction/105625160?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 1 August 2025

Chalmers urged to pull the leash on ASIC – 28 July 2025
Former corporate cop James Shipton says Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ failure to issue a statement of expectations to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and lack of oversight by parliamentary committees is allowing ASIC to avoid accountability for enforcement actions against business. Shipton backed remarks by former Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson, who said aggressive corporate regulators were hurting the economy with a “gotcha” approach, and that their administrative red tape was stifling investment.

https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/chalmers-urged-to-pull-in-the-leash-on-asic-20250728-p5mib5

Access to financial version of AFR required to read Full article


Scammers, fraudsters and the tax office’s missing $50 billion – 28 July 2025
The ATO is one of the most powerful and secretive institutions in the country, but for years, it’s operated without effective scrutiny. In this major Four Corners investigation, award-winning financial journalists reveal how inaction and flawed systems have allowed more than $50 billion in tax to go uncollected. They unpick how a simple scam, supercharged on social media, saw tens of thousands of Australians fraudulently claim at least $2 billion in GST refunds. They also show how corporate operators extracted millions more through fake invoices and phantom construction projects, often without triggering even basic checks. And they expose how deep cuts, digital automation and a lack of independent oversight has left one of Australia’s most powerful institutions wide open to exploitation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCNsluZrbvU

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Banks to refund millions in fees to more than 700,000 customers – 29 July 2025
ASIC last year said Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank would provide to people on low incomes, particularly First Nations customers, after a review found the customers had been kept in high-cost products even though they were eligible for lower-cost accounts. Since that report, refunds went up to $33 million, and ASIC has widened its work with banks to look at the effect on all low-income customers from charges including dishonour, overdraw and account-keeping fees. It brings the total payout to customers receiving government concession payments, whom ASIC said were typically known as “low-income customers”, to $93 million.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/banks-to-refund-millions-in-fees-to-more-than-700-000-customers-20250728-p5mial.html


Too good to be true: Sydney exec testifies in $253m Perth fraud trial – 29 July 2025
The investors who entrusted him with more than a quarter of a billion dollars say Chris Marco held himself out to be an experienced businessman – a leprechaun who could take them to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Only there was no pot of gold, prosecutor Steven Whybrow, SC, told the Western Australian Supreme Court, just a flimsy scheme kept afloat by the flow of funds being used to pay off old investors that was taking on water fast.

https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/too-good-to-be-true-sydney-exec-testifies-in-253m-perth-fraud-trial-20250729-p5mimk

Access to digital version of AFR required to read article


ASIC doubles investigations into advisers after $1b failures – 30 July 2025
The corporate regulator says the $4.2 trillion superannuation industry is a honeypot for bad actors hoping to scam unsuspecting consumers out of their life savings and has doubled the number of investigations into misconduct by financial advisers over the past year. Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Joe Longo said the sharp rise in misconduct risked “damaging trust in a system as a whole”, sparking further legislative and regulatory intervention.

https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/asic-doubles-investigations-into-advisers-after-1b-failures-20250729-p5mio0

Access to financial version of AFR required to read Full article


Australian gambling giant Mounties taken to court over alleged AML breaches – 30 July 2025
AUSTRAC has launched civil proceedings against Mount Pritchard & District Community Club, known as Mounties, accusing it of serious breaches of AML (anti-money laundering) laws. The regulator filed the case in the Federal Court, alleging that Mounties failed to manage the risk of criminals laundering money through its poker machines. Mounties operates 10 venues in New South Wales, eight of which run about 1,400 machines.

https://www.amlintelligence.com/2025/07/news-australian-gambling-giant-mounties-taken-to-court-over-alleged-aml-breaches/


Forward together: Addressing misconduct in financial services – 30 July 2025
Article is the keynote address by ASIC Chair Joe Longo at the FSC Symposium ‘Shaping Advice in a Time of Change’ on 30 July 2025. Joe Longo explains how ASIC is working to make the Australia’s superannuation system safer for consumers and how consumers can their part.

https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/speeches/forward-together-addressing-misconduct-in-financial-services/


Alleged ringleaders behind defrauding banks for luxury cars, homes and business loans face almost 200 charges – 31 July 2025
Two Sydney men — aged 34 and 38 — have been charged as the alleged ringleaders of a scam defrauding banks out of tens of millions of dollars. Police allege the two men, were at the head of a syndicate that began by using stolen identification to apply for loans to purchase luxury “ghost cars” that did not exist. Two Bentleys and a Ferrari were among the $38 million in assets seized by NSW Police. The pair have been denied bail and are due to appear in court.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-31/alleged-ringleaders-behind-fraud-scheme-ghost-cars-charged/105594298


Bank insiders involved in alleged $178m Ponzi scheme – 31 July 2025
The accused ringleaders of a large-scale fraud and money laundering scheme allegedly used stolen personal information to apply for home and business loans with the help of trusted industry insiders to defraud several major banks and financiers of $178 million over seven years. Police allege that 38-year-old Bing “Michael” Li and 34-year-old Yizhe “Tony” ran a major crime syndicate before they were arrested by Strike Force Myddleton detectives in sweeping raids across Sydney.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-swoop-on-barangaroo-home-luxury-cars-seized-in-alleged-multimillion-dollar-scam-20250731-p5mj5j.html


It’s time to talk about AI and national security – 31 July 2025
The federal government has recently introduced legislation to extend the looming sunset clause on compulsory questioning powers originally granted to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The nature of the threat posed by terrorism is now seen more objectively with the benefit of hindsight, and the wide recognition that repressive counter-terrorism measures potentially pose a far greater threat to democracies and social cohesion than isolated terrorism incidents. The federal government’s action in seeking to extend ASIO’s executive powers, is discussed in this paper by Bill Calcutt.

https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/07/its-time-to-talk-about-ai-and-national-security/


Corporate wrongdoing and what insurance can do about it – 31 July 2025
Across Australia’s business landscape, regulators are wielding their sword through an increasing number of investigations and penalties. From workplace safety issues to climate disclosure failures and misleading products, firms are being held to account, including individual directors. The penalties can run into millions of dollars and their insurability can be a major issue for firms and their insurers. According to global broker Marsh, whether insurance will cover these penalties “is frequently far from clear” and is discussed in this article.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/legal-insights/corporate-wrongdoing-and-what-insurance-can-do-about-it-544452.aspx


Review of Australia’s whistleblower scheme clocks more public sector inquiries – 1 August 2025
A review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID act) tabled in parliament this week reports recent reforms are working as planned. According to the Commonwealth ombud, whistleblower disclosures under the PID scheme are being made and, where appropriate, allocated and investigated. Overall, 355 disclosures were received by agencies, 100 of which were allocated for investigation. Many finalised within an acceptable period.

https://www.themandarin.com.au/296700-review-of-australias-whistleblower-scheme-clocks-more-public-sector-inquiries/