The following are articles relevant to the Professional Investigator. Click on the title to make a comment or join the conversation.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 16 May 2025
Five people arrested in Victoria over alleged drug and gun trafficking syndicate links – 9 May 2025
Police have charged five people in Cobram and Wangaratta as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged criminal network. The multi-year investigation has resulted in hundreds of charges and the alleged seizure of drugs, guns and vehicles. Police say they will continue to pursue suspects until “every link in the chain is broken”.
Doctor engaged in professional misconduct by accessing female colleague’s health record 14 times, tribunal finds – 12 May 2025
A Canberra doctor has been found to have engaged in professional misconduct. The doctor admitted to accessing a female colleague’s medical records 14 times. Dr James McClymont will be allowed to return to work under strict conditions including compulsory mentoring.
Shaken toddlers and slapped babies: Documents expose childcare crisis – 12 May 2025
Affinity Education owns more than 250 corporate childcare centres around the country. Footage shows a defensive baby slapped in the face by a child care worker. Investigation highlights child care system in crisis and the mistreatment of vulnerable children.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-12/shaken-toddlers-and-slapped-babies:-documents/105284350
Bunnings accused of abusing market power – 12 May 2025
Bunnings is Australia’s most trusted brand but it’s being accused of abusing its market power. A Four Corners investigation into the hardware giant has heard fresh allegations of supplier mistreatment, while a price survey has questioned whether Bunnings really is that cheap.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/bunnings-accused-of-abusing-market-power/105280442
High Court to decide if information gathered on encrypted messaging app AN0M was legally obtained – 13 May 2025
The High Court will on Tuesday delve into the murky world of organised crime and encrypted messaging on an app known as AN0M, which was secretly controlled by the FBI and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) said there were nearly 1,000 arrests globally, with 42 tonnes of illicit drugs and $US58 million in cash and crypto currency seized. According to AFP data, there have been nearly 100 people in Australia charged, with drugs, firearms, and substantial amounts of money seized.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-13/act-operation-ironside-an0m-app-high-court-preview/105275242
Queensland health ombudsman issues warning to public amid investigation into massage therapist – 13 May 2025
The ombusdman said Mr Zhen and H2OMASSAGE have allegedly put patients at risk by recommending dangerous and ineffective treatments. The OHO placed an interim order on Mr Zhen in June last year, prohibiting him from providing or supporting health services. An investigation is underway and anyone who has received treatment from Mr Zhen is urged to contact the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
The ‘therapeutic’ system where kids fall prey to child sex abusers – 13 May 2025
The ABC has unearthed cases of a senior worker contacting a child sex abuser as part of a “safety” check on a child, current sexual exploitation of a girl at risk of death, and one department’s attempt to avoid responsibility for decisions that led to assaults.
Marion Joan Pearson: Former Perth financial adviser fails to stop extradition to Australia to face 136 charges – 15 May 2025
A woman who formerly worked as a financial adviser in Perth will be sent back to Australia to face 136 theft charges after her extradition bid failed.
The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram – 15 May 2025
They call themselves Terrorgram — a group of “militant accelerationists” who use extreme violence to bring down governments and create new white “ethnostates”. They came together on social media apps like Telegram and created a transnational network resulting in a spree of deadly terror attacks across the globe. A year long investigation by PBS and ProPublica unmasks the ringleaders and how they operated.
And it uncovers the failings of authorities to stop them.
“The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram” shows the consequences of unfettered free speech — having influencers advocate mass murder.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-14/the-rise-and-fall-of-terrorgram/105292780
Macquarie sued for misreporting up to 1.5 billion sales – 14 May 2025
Corporate watchdog ASIC alleges Macquarie Securities – Macquarie Group’s cash brokering division – failed to correctly report at least 73 million short sales between December 2009 and February 2024. This puts the nation’s financial stability at risk. This marks ASIC’s fourth action against Macquarie Group in just over a year, highlighting broader compliance concerns in the local financial sector.
https://michaelwest.com.au/news/macquarie-sued-for-misreporting-up-to-1-5-billion-sales/
German police arrest three men over alleged Russian parcel bomb plot – 15 May 2025
Three men allegedly sent parcels containing GPS trackers in March this year to scout out potential routes for further explosive packages. The men were allegedly in contact with Russian state actors, German prosecutors say. It’s the latest example of a rising hybrid war in Europe, with western intelligence accusing Russia of using sabotage as a weapon to destabilise European support for Ukraine.
WA Premier blames system ‘gaps’ for allowing CCC officer in probe to work for VenuesWest – 15 May 2025
Louise Catherine Carruthers was an officer in the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) when she was accused of having an intimate relationship with an informant. The CCC’s Parliamentary Inspector tabled a report last year, which found she used her position for personal benefit with one of commission’s sources. It was later revealed that while under investigation, Ms Carruthers was employed by another government agency, VenuesWest.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-15/wa-ccc-officer-informant-improper-relationship/105273534
PointsBet fined $500,000 after spamming customers with gambling ad – 16 May 2025
Online gambling provider PointsBet Australia has been fined $500,800 for breaching spam and gambling self-exclusion laws. The Australian Communications and Media Authority found the company sent 508 marketing messages in a two-month period to people who had chosen to exclude themselves from online wagering. Experts have called on the federal government to act on the 31 recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, specifically setting up a gambling regulator.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 9 May 2025
Super Retail CEO Affair Sparks Whistleblower Legal Battle – 1 May 2025
A bombshell legal battle has erupted inside Super Retail Group, the $3 billion Australian retail giant behind brands including Rebel, Supercheap Auto, Macpac and BCF, with its former top legal executives alleging CEO Anthony Heraghty conducted a secret affair that fostered a toxic corporate culture, and led to their wrongful dismissal.
https://www.channelnews.com.au/super-retail-ceo-affair-sparks-whistleblower-legal-battle/
Accountants warned to prepare for emerging fraud threats: RSM – 2 May 2025
The fraud landscape is rapidly shifting with the emergence of ‘fraud as a service’, AI deepfakes, and the sale of fraud kits on the dark web, a fraud specialist has warned. Organisations and accounting professionals have been cautioned on some of the newer fraud risks arising for businesses as criminals look to exploit developments in AI. Speaking in a recent webinar, Roger Darvall-Stevens, partner and head of forensic services at RSM Australia, said while the classic fraud schemes that have always been used to target businesses haven’t changed, the types of technology used by fraudsters to carry out those schemes is rapidly changing.
IT warning after hackers close 160-year-old firm – 4 May 2025
The director of a 160-year-old haulage firm put out of business by a cyber-attack has urged companies to be on their guard. A ransom note from a hacker group was found buried in IT systems. The attack damaged key data, making it impossible to meet reporting deadlines set by lenders and it was then forced into administration.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvren4je77o
Open letter calls on newly elected Parliament to introduce Whistleblower Protection Authority, sustained funding for integrity agencies to protect from government pressure – 5 May 2025
Integrity experts, including former judges, ombudsmen and leading academics, have signed an open letter, coordinated by The Australia Institute and Fairer Future and published today in The Canberra Times, calling on the newly elected Parliament of Australia to address weaknesses in Australian political integrity. They say “A Whistleblower Protection Authorityis the missing piece of Australia’s anti-corruption and transparency landscape”.
Gang leaders jailed over $660k cash-for-crash fraud – 5 May 2025
Leading members of an organised crime gang who defrauded British insurers by making false motor claims have been jailed. Ten fraudsters pocketed more than $665,000 in payouts for car crashes that were intentionally induced or never took place. The group would cause deliberate collisions by slamming on their vehicle’s brake so innocent drivers behind would collide into them and some incidents were also paper-based fabrications.
https://www.insurancenews.com.au/international/gang-leaders-jailed-over-660k-cash-for-crash-fraud
The alarm has been sounded on deepfakes – 6 May 2025
Deepfakes are a growing cybersecurity threat that blur the line between reality and fiction. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, deepfakes introduce serious implications for public and private sector institutions.“ A recent report found that 47% of companies have encountered deepfake attacks while 62% aren’t adequately prepared to counter them.” On a regulatory level, governments need to enforce AI content labelling and require social media platforms to flag AI-generated videos.
https://it-online.co.za/2025/05/06/the-alarm-has-been-sounded-on-deepfakes/
Broker accused of exploiting NDIS clients in alleged $700,000 fraud – 6 May 2025
Jimmy Koufos, a Sydney mortgage broker is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly defrauding National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clients out of more than $700,000. Over a five-year period he allegedly used their funds to support an opulent lifestyle. The allegations have once again spotlighted the growing concerns around integrity within the NDIS.
Sackings, bullying and lack of oversight: The fears in top schools unit revealed at ICAC – 6 May 2025
Senior education officials raised concerns about a lack of oversight, reprisal sackings and bullying within the department’s school infrastructure unit, the state’s corruption watchdog has heard. ICAC is examining allegations Former Schools Infrastructure NSW chief executive officer Anthony Manning and others within the agency subverted recruitment practices, improperly awarded contracts and misallocated funds to favour friends and associates between 2017 and 2024.
AI arms race fuels surge in cybercrime & deepfake scams – 6 May 2025
Cybersecurity experts are warning that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence is providing new tools for cybercriminals, heightening digital risks for Australian organisations and individuals. In recent months, security researchers have observed a notable uptick in the deployment of infostealer malware across Australia. These malicious programmes infiltrate both personal and corporate systems, quietly harvesting key data including banking details, emails, and passwords stored in browsers.
https://securitybrief.com.au/story/ai-arms-race-fuels-surge-in-cybercrime-deepfake-scams
SIM swap and phone porting scams leave victims ‘traumatised’ – 7 May 2025
SIM swap and phone porting scams have been around for several years. Advocates say this takeover of an individual’s identity via their phone is often compounded by the fact many of us now rely completely on mobiles to make calls and get help.’ IDCare says a recent spate of data breaches affecting major companies could be delivering scammers more information on Australian consumers, making it easier to perform unauthorised SIM swaps and ports.
NDIS firm sanctioned 18 months before suspension – 8 May 2025
NDIS provider Cocoon SDA Care has had its registration suspended after site visits to its properties by the national watchdog identified serious safety concerns.
Digital Access to the Australian required to read article
Man jailed for his role in Australian dog fighting ring boasted online he ‘killed more dogs than parvovirus’ – 9 May 2025
A man jailed for his role in a dog fighting ring remains a member of multiple online groups that discuss the blood sport, even boasting that he has killed “more dogs than parvovirus”. Darling Downs man Glenn Wilson was found guilty in 2019 of supplying a pit bull terrier called “Pretty Girl” for fighting and failing to provide appropriate living conditions and treatment to several other dogs.He was sentenced to six months in prison, banned from owning pit bulls for life, and forced to pay $60,000 to the RSPCA.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 2 May 2025
Polling – Whistleblowers – 24 April 2025
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,009 Australians about their attitudes to Australian whistleblowers. The survey was developed in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre and Whistleblower Justice Fund. Results are detailed in this article.
https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-whistleblowers-2/
Aussie couple loses $170,000 house deposit over to two-letter error: ‘Changed everyone’s lives’ – 25 April 2025
An Australian couple was scammed when they had to send $252,000 to their conveyancer. The scammers used the same colour font, same size font, same names etc. as their conveyancer. The only difference was that “.com” not “.com.au” was used. The couple are frustrated that the ANZ bank teller failed to realise that the account name did not match the details they had provided. Victoria Police are now investigating and have spoken with the alleged “money mule” – a Melbourne man whose account received the funds.
WorkSafe ACT investigation finds life-threatening work conditions for nurses after ‘serious’ assaults – 28 April 2025
WorkSafe ACT issued safety notices to Canberra Health Services over home visit assaults, citing risk of death. Healthcare unions say nurses are sometimes met with axes, machetes, knives and guns during in home visits. The safety notices have been lifted after CHS implemented the necessary safety procedures.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/nurse-safety-home-health-assaults/105216758
How AI is being used to create sophisticated scams that leave even experts second-guessing – 28 April 2025
Scams are not a new problem or new issue … but what is different is the way people conduct the scam, especially in the last few years, where we’ve seen the use of AI. Now using AI, everyone can be a developer to create a website, to write a company policy … to generate images … and even to create fake financial reports. Making it very difficult for the general public to verify whether something they saw online was real or fake.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/scammers-using-ai-produce-sophisticated-scams/105150946
Trial begins for man accused of murdering housemate for financial gain, keeping her body in a toolbox – 28 April 2025
Yang Zhao who has been accused of murder, impersonated his dead housemate for financial gain, a court has been told. Police alleged Mr Zhao killed Ms Yan by “a blow or a number of blows to the head”, followed by strangulation. He then allegedly accessed her phone and bank accounts, transferring himself hundreds of thousands of dollars while also convincing friends and family that Ms Yan was still alive.
Banking passwords stolen from Australians are being traded online by cybercriminals – 29 April 2025
An investigation by cyber intelligence researchers has shown credentials belonging to at least 14,000 Commbank customers, 7,000 ANZ customers, 5,000 NAB and 4,000 Westpac customers are available on the messaging platform Telegram and the dark web. The Australian firm Dvuln, which made the discovery, said the passwords were stolen directly from users’ devices, which had been infected with a type of malware known as an “infostealer”.
Court orders handover of suitcase full of cash seized from NDIS developer – 29 April 2025
A suitcase full of cash seized during a raid on the house of failed NDIS property developer David McWilliams, will be handed over to the administrator of the ALAMMC group of companies, as BDO closes in on more of the group’s assets.
Access to digital version of The Australian required to read article
Victoria Police promised no more ‘special treatment’ for abusive cops. Three years on, victims feel betrayed – 29 April 2025
New data shows 28 Victoria Police officers were charged with serious family violence offences in the four years to 2024, though many had their matter withdrawn and just four were convicted. Victim advocates say the data shows the force has an “ongoing problem” with abusers in police ranks and a “persistent culture of impunity”. Experts say, Victoria’s police oversight system must urgently be overhauled to ensure all complaints against police are independently investigated.
Former Jumpstart childcare operator Thomas Fanous banned from NDIS following ABC investigation – 29 April 2025
Thomas Fanous operated NSW childcare provider Jumpstart, which was prosecuted for neglect and shut down in 2022.
Mr Fanous then established an NDIS business, but the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has now banned him from the scheme. A NSW parliamentary committee has called an inquiry into the childcare sector in the wake of the ABC’s investigation.
Fifth Charged in Multimillion Ghost Cars Fraud – 1 May 2025
Financial Crimes Squad detectives have charged a fifth man for his alleged role in a multimillion-dollar financing fraud using ‘ghost cars’ to target a Sydney automotive group. The investigation found that the syndicate was allegedly using the stolen personal information of more than 33 people to apply for loans through various financial companies to purchase luxury ‘ghost cars’ that did not exist. The total funds stolen through the alleged fraud are estimated to be $10 million.
https://www.miragenews.com/fifth-charged-in-multimillion-ghost-cars-fraud-1452759/
NT Police Force seek community action to take advantage of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy – 1 May 2025
The Northern Territory Police Force, in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, is embracing innovative technology to help solve long-standing missing persons cases. Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) combines DNA testing with genealogy research to offer fresh hope for cases that have remained unsolved for years, particularly those of unidentified human remains.
Australia’s largest superannuation fund targeted in finance scam – 1 May 2025
Australia’s largest superannuation fund is warning they are the victim of another cyber scam, one month after being caught up in a coordinated cybersecurity attack that affected most of the industry. An email, purporting to be from Australian Super titled ‘Insurance Transfer Request’, asks recipients to confirm a “request to process your insurance transfer to an alternative Australian Super account”. Another example of how scammers try to convince people to hand over sensitive information.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 24 April 2025
Two Victorian police officers named over role in illegal Tony Mokbel investigation – 15 April 2025
Two now-retired Victorian Police officers who took part in a ‘joint criminal enterprise’ to put Tony Mokbel behind bars have been named.
Jim O’Brien and Dale Flynn, members of the anti-gangland Purana Taskforce, had previously argued their identities should be suppressed indefinitely.
Mokbel and several media outlets fought the suppression application.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-15/lawyer-x-tony-mokbel-court-nicola-gobbo/105180602
Court documents reveal explosive phone taps during ousting of Logan City Council bureaucrat – 16 April 2025
Alleged expletive-laden conversations between former Logan City Council mayor Luke Smith and political powerbrokers have been detailed through court documents, resulting in Luke Smith ultimately being convicted of receiving secret commissions from a developer.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/secret-phone-taps-logan-city-council-former-mayor/105146810
‘Beyond opportunistic’: Judge details former adviser’s $4.4m theft – 16 April 2025
Individuals lent as much as $1.1 million to former financial adviser, Anthony Del Vecchio, which was then used to fuel his gambling habit and only learnt of the fraud when they contacted his employer. Del Vecchio pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria to 24 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
The Blueprint for Australia’s Anti-Scam Strategy – 16 April 2025
Australia has slashed citizens’ scam losses by close to 30% over two years by shifting from a consumer-blame model to a coordinated national response. Led by the government, the strategy brought together regulators, industries and internet platforms to cut off scam vectors and stop money from flowing to international criminal networks.
https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/blueprint-for-australias-anti-scam-strategy-a-28011
Questions raised over online gambling regulators – 16 April 2025
Online gambling is worth billions of dollars in Australia and now fresh questions are now being raised over the people charged with keeping the bookies honest. Of the six people who regulate the industry, the ABC has identified several who have links to the gambling industry and one who have even accepted gifts.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/naus_gamblingregulationtwt_1604/105183102
StrongRoom AI boss denies investor claim he admitted to fraud – 17 April 2025
The pharmacy software developer, StrongRoom AI is in the midst of a complicated dispute with its biggest investor, Sydney-headquartered venture capital firm EVP, which is attempting to claw back more than $10 million it invested earlier this year. EVP has accused StrongRoom of misrepresenting its financial position by claiming government grants, loans and share payments as revenue.
Access to digitial version of Financial review required to read article
A fugitive Indian jeweler accused of a $1.8bn bank fraud has been arrested in Belgium – 17 April 2025
Fugitive Indian jeweler Mehul Choksi, who has been accused of involvement in one of India’s biggest bank frauds, has been arrested in Belgium. Choksi and his diamond tycoon nephew Nirav Modi are accused of a $1.8 billion fraud involving Punjab National Bank.
The history behind controversial laws of sacrilege and blasphemy in Australia – 18 April 2025
Police were called after CCTV showed a man entering a church at 3.30am. The officers apprehended a 25-year-old, who was allegedly found in possession of scripture books belonging to the church. What happened next surprised many and made national news. The man was charged with sacrilege, a little-known and rarely employed law relating to an offence committed in a “place of divine worship”.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-18/controversial-law-sacrilege-blasphemy-australia/105116860
As scammers latch on to artificial intelligence, Microsoft says it blocks 1.6 million bots every hou – 19 April 2025
Artificial intelligence has made it “easier and cheaper” for scammers to generate believable content for attacks, according to Microsoft’s latest Cyber Signals report. The report noted Microsoft had thwarted about $6.28 billion in fraud attempts in the 12 months from April 2024.
How fake job ads are scamming Australians out of money—and their identitie – 21 April 2025
Fake job ads, often labelled as “employment scams,” are increasingly targeting Australians who are looking for flexible, remote or part-time work. The scams lure in victims with promises of quick cash for simple online tasks like liking posts, reviewing products or entering data. Once contact is made, victims are asked to pay fees for training, registration, or equipment. Others are tricked into sharing sensitive information such as tax file numbers, bank account details or even passport details.
The Agent inside – 21 April 2025
One year after the Wakeley church stabbing shocked Australia, a former secret agent who infiltrated the country’s jihadist underworld unmasks himself. In an extraordinary Four Corners exclusive, the former ASIO agent reveals to investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop how a resurgent Islamic State (IS) network is radicalising Australian teens and plotting violence.
He exposes the network’s links to a global web of terrorist leaders.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-21/the-agent-inside/105198860
Vets exposing shocking animal welfare breaches at Australian export abattoirs face ‘enormous risk’ – 22 April 2025
Lawyers and animal welfare advocates have urged the government to protect veterinarian whistleblowers who revealed shocking animal welfare breaches and oversight failures at Australia’s export abattoirs. speaking out about wrongdoing could carry “enormous risk” and that reforms were needed to improve protections and establish an independent body to guide and advise whistleblowers.
‘You don’t expect your own children to do this’: Ray’s shocking tale of elder abuse and the son who stole $230,000 – 23 April 2025
Ray Baird is speaking out for the first time about being the victim of elder abuse. His son Peter stole more than $230,000 from him. Experts want to see protections against elder fraud built into Centrelink, which sent Ray’s pension to a bank account in Peter’s name for years, without Ray knowing that Peter had changed the account details through his access to Ray’s MyGov.
Shire of Coolgardie chief executive James Trail quits amid months-long suspension – 23 April 2025
The long-serving chief executive of a West Australian council has resigned amid an ongoing workplace investigation. His exit comes amid scrutiny of the shire’s financial sustainability and ratepayer protests against the administration.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-23/coolgardie-ceo-james-traill-resigns-investigation/105206326
