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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 27 June 2025
Ballarat Grammar launches third investigation into boys’ boarding houses – 23 June 2025
Ballarat Grammer (BGS) has launched its third investigation in five months into allegations of “serious misconduct” in its boys’ boarding houses. In a letter to parents today, the school said over the past fortnight new information had “come to light”, and it would now begin an investigation. BGS said through investigations it had become clear that a “broader cultural shift was also needed”.
Aussie loses $320,000 to chilling threat and extortion scam – 23 June 2025
A 30-year-old was initially told her credit card had been used in an attempt to buy drugs online and she would be transferred to the police to make a report. The scammers, posing as Chinese police, then accused her of being part of a criminal syndicate responsible for a large scale money laundering operation. To avoid jail, she had to agree to be under 24/7 surveillance and not tell anyone about her situation. She has been left traumatised after being kept under surveillance for two months and ultimately losing her lifesavings.
Year in review: international investigations in Australia – 23 June 2025
Article summarises key legislative changes over the past year in relation to corporate misconduct.
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9edce233-0371-4135-9bc8-e7ec655bdd16
ASIC cautions licensees on share fraud – 24 June 2025
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued updated guidance for Australian financial services (AFS) licensees following an increase in reports of stolen shares due to identity theft. The new guidance, Information Sheet 237 Protecting against share sale fraud (INFO 237), outlines better practices for licensee prevention and detection of share sale fraud.
https://smsmagazine.com.au/news/2025/06/24/asic-cautions-licensees-on-share-fraud/
Workplace surveillance could be changing – what do employers need to know? – 24 June 2025
Workplace surveillance is becoming more sophisticated and widespread, but the laws that govern it haven’t kept pace. From AI monitoring tools to wearable trackers and biometrics, new technologies are being deployed in workplaces across many industries, yet there is little regulation on how and when employers can use them.
Police’s new weapon to crack open cold cases – 24 June 2025
NSW Police are using ground breaking technology to solve crimes. More than 145,000 unsolved cases, from break and enters, to some of the state’s longest standing, most baffling unsolved murders, could soon be solved now that police officers can match prints from the phalange area of the hand – the part between the tip and the palm.
Fraud victims among top crypto ATM users, Australian regulator say – 25 June 2025
AUSTRAC has identified 90 top crypto ATM users in Australia as scam victims, money mules, or suspects in a nationwide crackdown on crypto-related crime. Most flagged transactions involved victims, including a woman in her 70s who lost over A$430,000. Regulatory scrutiny of crypto ATMs and exchanges is intensifying.
Sophisticated scams rise in the dark side of AI’s explosion – 25 June 2025
The Australian Signals Directorate, the government agency overseeing the nation’s cybersecurity, warns that AI presents risks such as malicious actors using AI tools to expand their activities, including using generative AI to produce low-effort, high-quality material for phishing attacks. Automated tools such as “Fraud GPT” can scrape sites where software developers store, manage and collaborate on computer code for weaknesses. They can also automatically generate small payloads of malware for use in a cyberattack.
Council refers fraud investigation to police – 25 June 2025
An investigation into potential fraud at a council has been referred to the police. In April, Newcastle City Council began investigating possible fraudulent activity within the council’s transport department. The local authority confirmed that the “financial irregularities” are understood to relate to potential over claiming involving an unconfirmed number of employees.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/council-refers-fraud-investigation-police-114735920.html
Privacy resilience: Why compliance alone won’t cut it in 2025 – 26 June 2025
Privacy is everyone’s Business – it is not just the job of privacy professionals or IT departments. It’s a shared responsibility across all sectors of society. This means privacy can no longer be viewed as an isolated function. It must be embedded into every part of the organisation, from boardroom strategy to day-to-day decision-making. Paper explains that it requires aligned governance, risk awareness, training and, most importantly, culture.
https://securitybrief.com.au/story/privacy-resilience-why-compliance-alone-won-t-cut-it-in-2025
Corruption and Crime Commission to probe how Floreat gunman Mark Bombara legally owned firearms – 25 June 2025
WA’s corruption watchdog is investigating police failings that allowed Mark Bombara to legally own firearms used in a double murder-suicide. The agency claims Bombara’s collector’s handgun licence, renewed in 2009, should not have been approved, and police missed opportunities to revoke it.
New firearm legislation is being introduced in WA to prevent similar cases, tightening rules around firearm ownership and licence eligibility.
Convicted drug dealer had same private ATMs as used in illegal tobacco shops – 27 June 2025
Peter Wellman James was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022 for supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis. Despite having a drug conviction, James had been able to own and operate a business called atm2go Darwin using private ATMs. The machines provided not just a cover for cash possession, but offered an opportunity for money laundering, with evidence given in court that cash from the drug dealing was to be loaded into the ATMs. Customers can unwittingly withdraw that dirty cash from the ATM and the cash that started out as proceeds of crime, now appears as legitimate funds in the ATM owner’s bank account.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-27/darwin-drug-dealer-atm-illegal-tobacco/105459052
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 20 June 2025
Italian osteopath practising in Canberra sexually assaulted patient, civil tribunal finds – 5 June 2025
The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) has found an osteopath engaged in serious professional misconduct in Canberra in 2022. Italian citizen Daniele Caminiti was found to have sexually assaulted a patient before boarding a flight to Italy just days after his workplace began an investigation and a subsequent police report was made. Mr Caminiti’s registration as a health practitioner in Australia has been cancelled but ACAT says the osteopath is practising in Italy.
AUDIO: PNG anti-corruption body facing collapse – 6 June 2025
Papua New Guinea’s anti-corruption agency has an enormous job, fighting crimes believed to cost the country more than a billion dollars a year. But since it was formed… the organisation has spent much of its time investigating its own commissioners. All three of them have levelled criminal allegations at each other … and senior staff warn the organisation is on the brink of implosion.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-06/png-anti-corruption-body-facing-collapse/105384842
Ombudsman finds ACT Policing escalated some cases involving use of force – 10 June 2025
A review of cases involving the use of force by police in the ACT has found situations are being unnecessarily escalated by the “unprofessional behaviour” of officers. The ACT Ombudsman analysed more than 6,200 use-of-force and viewed 200 clips of body-worn camera vision and CCTV vision. The investigation had uncovered cases where the police response had “unnecessarily inflamed situations”, resulting in poor outcomes.
More than 250kg of cocaine found in Brisbane shipping container as police foil $82 million drug plot – 10 June 2025
Authorities have seized 253 kilograms of cocaine from a shipping container during a screening operation. The shipment, worth an estimated $82 million, was found after a tip-off. The Australian Federal Police have launched an investigation.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-10/brisbane-cocaine-drug-bust-shipping-container/105400026
Department of Justice investigation into public servant’s hiring of 17yo relative deemed ‘inadequate’ – 10 June 2025
A Department of Justice investigation into allegations a senior public servant hired a 17-year-old family member and allowed them to skip the queue for government-funded housing has been described as “wholly inadequate” by the Corruption and Crime Commission’s Parliamentary Inspector Matthew Zilko.
The allegations included the public servant hiring the teenage family member without declaring a conflict of interest.
The case won’t be reopened and the Shadow Attorney-General Nick Goiran has called on the parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on the CCC to consider Mr Zilko’s recommendations.
Millions of Australians could miss out on refunds from financial misconduct – 11 June 2025
Over a 29-year period, it is estimated that more than 10 million add-on insurance products were sold in Australia, valued at billions of dollars, some believe it could be as high as $10 billion. The products became a symbol of the financial misconduct exposed during the banking royal commission. Many people may be entitled to compensation but a looming deadline of June 30 could see many miss out.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-11/financial-misconduct-refunds-asic-junk-insurance/105366636
Boss of Australian pokies giant Ainsworth Game Technology under investigation for alleged corruption in Austria – 12 June 2025
Harald Neumann, chief executive of Australian pokies giant Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT), is under investigation over alleged corruption involving far-right politicians in Austria. AGT had not publicly disclosed the investigation involving its CEO but said it had disclosed the matter to regulators. Mr Neumann has strenuously denied the allegations. The company said all but one corruption inquiry involving Mr Neumann had been “dismissed” and it expected the remaining investigation would go the same way.
Second match fix scandal hits Australian soccer – 12 June 2025
The Socceroos’ World Cup qualification has given Football Australia something to celebrate this week but the governing body is also grappling with its second match fixing scandal in 12 months. Victoria Police last week filed charges against a Western United A-League player – one year after three players from Macarthur Football Club in Sydney were charged with similar offences.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-12/second-match-fix-scandal-hits-australian-soccer/105406466
Lawyer for institutional abuse victims ordered to pay $263,000 to client – 15 June 2025
A Melbourne lawyer renowned for her advocacy for institutional abuse survivors has lost a landmark trial in the Supreme Court, which found her firm’s “extraordinarily defensive” approach had significantly reduced a client’s compensation. Dr Vivian Waller and her law firm, Waller Legal, face more than 20 legal cases from other disgruntled clients, who allege they received negligent representation that potentially cost them millions of dollars in settlement payouts.
Ombudsman criticises ACT Integrity Commission for awarding $150,000 consulting contract to then-CEO – 17 June 2025
The ACT Ombudsman has found the territory’s corruption watchdog did not comply with its own inherent purpose to effectively manage conflicts of interest after an investigation into a $150,000 contract awarded to it’s then-CEO. In his report, Ombudsman Iain Anderson said the ACT Integrity Commission risked undermining public confidence if it did not demonstrate integrity and probity in its procurement practices. The integrity agency said it did not accept that it breached its requirements, and has rejected two of the three recommendations made by the ombudsman.
VIDEO: IVF clinics under the microscope – 18 June 2025
Every year, Australians are relying on IVF to start their families but after two high-profile bungles at Monash IVF clinics, the industry has come under pressure. It’s prompted a national investigation into the sector.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-18/ivf-clinics-under-the-microscope/105434502
Macquarie Group company’s private ATMs are helping fuel the illegal tobacco trade – 18 June 2025
An ABC investigation has found that the prestigious Australian-founded Macquarie Group is raking in dollars from the nation’s booming illegal tobacco trade. At the centre of the deal is the provision of networks of privately owned cash-dispensing ATMs that have been placed in tobacconists despite their links to criminals and blatant illegal sales activities. The arrangements — which in some cases allow shop owners to load their own cash into the machine — highlight a regulatory black hole facilitating tax avoidance and money laundering, according to experts.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-18/macquarie-group-next-atm-illegal-tobacco-trade/105399234
Jury to decide if Erin Patterson is telling the truth in mushroom trial – 20 June 2025
For two months, the jury inside the Supreme Court in Morwell has been trying to separate fact from fiction. The jury is being asked to determine if Erin Patterson murdered her estranged husband Simon’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, his aunt Heather Wilkinson and tried to murder Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson by feeding them all a lunch containing poisonous death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha in July 2023.
Three died, only Heather’s husband Ian survived. Simon was invited but declined the night before. Erin Patterson has maintained her innocence from the outset and says their deaths were a tragic accident.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-19/jury-to-decide-if-erin-patterson-is-telling-the/105439494
Multiple ‘imitation’ firearms found in George Town home by Tasmania police – 20 June 2025
A 40-year-old George Town man has been charged with multiple offences after the seizure of 16 illegal firearms, including a collection of replica weapons. Police say the guns, including imitation sniper rifles and assault rifles, were found after officers saw “items of interest” through a window on the property. The man will face court at a later date.
Kumanjayi White: McCarthy renews support for independent probe – 20 June 2025
Indigenous deaths in custody will be in the spotlight at the Joint Council for Closing the Gap in Darwin. It comes as the Australian Human Rights Commission says 12 Aboriginal people have died in custody so far this year. Meanwhile, there are increasing calls for an independent inquiry into the death of Kumanjayi White in the Northern Territory last month. Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator for NT is interviewed.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 9 June 2025
A-League soccer player among those charged as Victoria Police allege betting corruption – 1 June 2025
Police have charged two men they allege engaged in cheating relating to betting involving A-League soccer games.
A Western United player is one of those charged.
The pair have been released on bail to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 31.
AFP places caveat on alleged fraudster’s home – 2 June 2025
The AFP Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce registered a restraining caveat last week over the title of the Dural abode of pharmacist Ben Huynh. It was the first time the AFP had lodged a caveat since the late 2023 arrest of the veteran pharmacist arising from allegations he had engaged in fraud since 2014 relating to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Police allege the pharmacist submitted false claims for medications.
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/afp-places-caveat-on-alleged-fraudsters-6m-home/
Report calls for tougher workplace surveillance controls – 2 June 2025
Australian employers are monitoring employees, frequently without workers’ knowledge or consent, according to a new report. And when workers do know about surveillance, there is little they can do about it. Laws have not kept pace, producing negative impacts for workers and workplaces.A Labor-chaired Victorian parliamentary inquiry has released a report on workplace surveillance and the need for more effective national regulation.
Abusers ‘weaponising’ child support – 3 June 2025
Australia’s child support system is being weaponised by financial abuse that is ‘amplified’ by Services Australia, according to a Commonwealth Ombudsman’s investigation released. More than $1.9 billion dollars in child support is unpaid and the ombudsman is calling for new legislation to ensure this money goes to the one million children who rely on it.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-03/abusers-weaponising-child-support/105369812
This Filipino woman struck a blow against Australian businesses ‘exploiting’ offshore workers – 3 June 2025
Joanna Pascua, a paralegal in the Philippines working remotely for an Australian business, has challenged her dismissal in the Fair Work Commission. The commission has found she was entitled to Australian workplace protections. Lawyers say the ruling confirms the risk Australian companies could face legal claims, including class actions, from offshore workers.
Crypto ATMs increasingly used for scams and money laundering – 3 June 2025
Australians are losing millions of dollars each year to scams linked to cryptocurrency ATMs, with $3 million lost in 12 months. Financial crime and money-laundering regulator AUSTRAC has announced new controls on crypto ATM operators, including $5,000 transaction limits. The rapid growth of crypto ATMs has outpaced regulation, with the machines increasingly used for illicit purposes, AUSTRAC says.
Government fraudster slapped with prison sentence – 3 June 2025
Paolo Esmaquel, has landed herself with an imprisonment sentence for offending the federal and state governments by committing tax fraud, identity and counterfeiting fraud and social security fraud. it was alleged that she had dishonestly obtained $51,464 and attempted to claim a further $12,093 by lodging 10 fraudulent business activity statements using three different identities. In addition to this, Esmaquel allegedly supplied information to the TPB to register as a tax agent and gained access to ATO systems, before linking unsuspecting taxpayers to her profile without their consent.
https://www.accountingtimes.com.au/profession/government-fraudster-slapped-with-prison-sentence
ASIC sues Westpac’s RAMS over alleged systemic misconduct writing home loans – 4 June 2025
Westpac-owned RAMS has been sued for breaches within its home loan business, including staff faking pay slips and lying on mortgage applications. RAMS has admitted liability for the misconduct and remediated customers. ASIC is seeking penalties, which will be determined by the Federal Court.
Mourners gather outside NT parliament after Kumanjayi White’s death in custody – 4 June 2025
Hundreds of mourners have gathered outside NT Parliament to stand with the family and community of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White, who died in police custody in Alice Springs. Members of Mr White’s Yuendumu community have repeatedly called for an independent investigation into his death. The vigil marked the start of a “national week of action”, with more planned for cities across the country.
Crypto ATM provider Harro’s Empires boss lost life savings, separated from partner over distress from AUSTRAC crackdown – 4 June 2025
(AUSTRAC) has refused to renew the registration of Adelaide-based Harro’s Empires, which owned and provided crypto ATMs, and forced limits on other providers over mounting concerns of scam, frauds and illegal activity. Aussies have reported losing $3 million on scams involving crypto ATMS over the past 12 months, with AUSTRAC raising concerns that older Australians were disproportionately targeted.
Italian osteopath practising in Canberra sexually assaulted patient, civil tribunal finds – 5 June 2025
The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) has found an osteopath engaged in serious professional misconduct in Canberra in 2022. Italian citizen Daniele Caminiti was found to have sexually assaulted a patient before boarding a flight to Italy just days after his workplace began an investigation and a subsequent police report was made. Mr Caminiti’s registration as a health practitioner in Australia has been cancelled but ACAT says the osteopath is practising in Italy.
Barrister leaves profession following disciplinary action on broken promises – 5 June 2025
Alan Walter Sandbach admitted to unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct with respect to his work on a brief and agreed to a penalty of a reprimand and a prohibition on applying for another practising certificate for a year.
Australian and NZ anti-corruption bosses embroiled in ‘chaos’ at ICAC PNG – 6 June 2025
The three bosses of Papua New Guinea’s ICAC have accused each other of criminal activity, including suspected corruption and abuse of power. A warrant has been issued for the Australian commissioner’s arrest, while he has accused his two deputies of misconduct and referred them to police. Staff say the feud between the three commissioners has left the organisation “completely dysfunctional” and on the edge of collapse.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 30 May 2025
Investigation finds NT ICAC gave ‘unwelcome attention’ to female staff – 26 May 2025
The Northern Territory government has released a redacted extract of findings from an investigation into workplace misconduct by former Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) Michael Riches. Mr Riches rejected the allegations but the investigator found it was “unlikely” all 17 staff who came forward “had an axe to grind” or were colluding or acting in bad faith. Mr Riches resigned from his post earlier this month with Greg Shanahan continuing as acting ICAC.
NSW police commissioner cleared of misconduct over alleged leaking of Bondi victim’s name – 27 May 2025
Outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been cleared of a misconduct allegation related to the Bondi Junction stabbing. She was accused of releasing the name of victim Dawn Singleton to former talkback host Ray Hadley on the day of the attack. Singleton’s mother condemned Commissioner Webb’s alleged actions via a statement to the coronial inquest.
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLaren seized in PBS fraud probe of Sydney pharmacist – 27 May 2025
A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million.
18 people charged in GST fraud scheme, Operation Uniform Galician – 27 May 2025
Detectives from the Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad have charged 18 people with 223 Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud offences. Operation Uniform Galician was launched in the Far North in 2022, to investigate several people involved in a number of large-scale deceptions against government agencies and financial institutions where they provided false details in order to receive fraudulent payments. It will be alleged these individuals collectively defrauded the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) of in excess of $2 million.
Whistleblower protections failed ‘superhero’ Richard Boyle, calls grow for urgent reforms – 28 May 2025
Richard Boyle has faced the heavy price of being a whistleblower in Australia. The law suggests that if you blow the whistle on wrongdoing, you will be protected. But, in Boyle’s case, it didn’t protect him. Nor did the federal government, which could have, at any stage, requested the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) drop all the charges against Boyle. The article explains how the case calls for urgent whistleblower reforms.
‘Staff too fearful to speak out’: Cosmetic surgery sector is a work in progress – 28 May 2025
Nearly four years after a landmark media investigation sparked outrage and long overdue reforms, Australia’s multi-billion-dollar cosmetic surgery industry remains a work in progress. Key legal cases are still dragging on, a regulatory investigation is ongoing and the system is far from fixed.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/cosmetic-surgery-concerns-class-action-advertising/105341776
Defence casts doubts over police investigation into Erin Patterson’s deadly mushroom lunch – 29 May 2025
Erin Patterson’s defence lawyers have argued police failed to seize a number of electronic items at her home during a search after the deadly mushroom lunch. Ms Patterson is accused of murder and attempted murder but has maintained her innocence. Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall is expected to return to the stand.
Woman charged as police find explosives, chemicals and detonators in Cranbourne home – 29 May 2025
A Cranbourne woman has been charged with a range of offences after police allegedly discovered 15kg of explosives at her Melbourne home. Zarna Barbar has also been charged with the trafficking of an industrial solvent and the theft of a car. The 26-year-old was already facing trafficking charges stemming from a prior raid in November last year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-29/police-find-explosives-cranbourne-woman-charged/105352064
Auditor-general finds there ‘could have been fraud’ at government-owned entity DevelopmentWA – 29 May 2025
A report by WA’s auditor-general has found fraud could have occurred at government-owned land and property developer DevelopmentWA between 2017 and 2022. The audit was conducted to determine whether fraud identified within the Department of Communities by the Corruption and Crime Commission could be occurring at the government’s land developer. The probe was partially sparked by the conviction of former public servant Paul Whyte, who stole millions of taxpayer dollars.
“We are watching”: AUSTRAC orders compliance audits on casinos in Townsville, Darwin – 30 May 2025
Australia’s financial intelligence agency has appointed external auditors to examine the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) compliance of two casinos – one in Queensland and the other in the Northern Territory – after identifying oversight weaknesses in both operations. These audits will assess whether each casino is maintaining an AML/CTF program that identifies, mitigates, and manages money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks, conducting appropriate ML/TF risk assessments, and ensuring boards and senior management maintain effective oversight of the program.
