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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
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 11 April 2025
Fraud Underbelly: Australia’s Digital Boom—A Fraudster’s Goldmine? – 3 April 2025
Australia’s digital boom is a goldmine for fraudsters. Paper shows exactly how cybercriminals are orchestrating attacks on Australia’s citizens and digital assets, and provides detail on why they a lucrative target.
https://www.group-ib.com/blog/fraud-underbelly-australia/
Australian superannuation funds hit by cyber attacks, with members’ money stolen – 4 April 2025
A number of Australian superannuation funds have been hit with suspected cyberattacks, with members of one fund losing $500,000 between them in retirement savings. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-04/superannuation-cyber-attack-rest-afsa/105137820
https://therecord.media/cybercriminals-australia-hacking-campaign-pension
Urgent warning: Scammers misuse ASIC identity in texts – 4 April 2025
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a warning about scammers using “alpha tags” in text messages to masquerade as the regulatory authority. This deceptive tactic involves labelling messages with the sender name “ASIC,” misleading recipients into believing they are in communication with the regulator.
Security breach at MCG raises questions about AI screening technology – 5 April 2025
The failure of the MCG’s security processes to detect two men carrying guns inside the venue has put the spotlight on the screening technology being relied upon. The incident at the AFL match was put down to ‘human error’ but experts on the AI security scanners being used by the MCG say that’s not the full story. A recent investigation into the company that makes the scanners found the machines produce a high rate of false positives, leading to “operator fatigue” for secondary, manual screening.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-05/evolv-concerns-mcg-guns-security-breach/105138072
No jail for Australian ‘money mule’ Motasar Angasyo in $150,000 Auckland fraud case – 6 April 2025
Australian national Motasar Angasyo was sentenced for his role as a “money mule” in a $150,000 scam. The 71-year-old victim lost her money within a week of the defendant’s arrival in New Zealand. Judge Nicola Mathers granted a non-custodial sentence, emphasising rehabilitation over punishment.
More disturbing incidents exposed inside NSW childcare centres – 7 April 2025
Some of the country’s largest childcare operators are named in damning regulatory documents the New South Wales government tried to keep hidden from the public.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-07/more-disturbing-incidents-exposed-inside-nsw/105148614
Australia to Shut Down 95 Companies for Their Possible Links to “Hydra-Like” Scams – 7 April 2025
The Australian financial market regulator is going to shut down 95 companies with links to online investment and romance baiting scams, also known as “pig butchering” scams, after obtaining a court order. These companies were linked to websites and apps that may be involved in scams that offer fake investment opportunities through fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities.
CBA and Westpac mull removing numbers from their credit cards – 7 April 2025
Commonwealth Bank and Westpac are considering removing the 16-digit numbers from their credit and debit cards, a move Mastercard argues will reduce fraud by preventing criminal hackers from stealing card details. Some payment experts, however, questioned the plans, arguing numberless cards risk adding friction to online commerce, given many customers still like to pay online using physical cards in their wallets and typing in the numbers.
British woman exposed in Netflix’s Con Mum charged with fraud over alleged inheritance scam in Singapore – 7 April 2025
A British woman accused of duping her own son to fund her champagne-sipping lifestyle has been charged with fraud in Singapore after gaining notoriety in the Netflix documentary Con Mum. Her alleged victims claim she sought their sympathy by saying she was terminally ill and needed the money for legal fees and to open new bank accounts. Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, faces five counts of fraud involving three men in Singapore and France.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/british-woman-exposed-netflix-con-112940008.html
Customers questioned top super fund about security weakness before cyberattack – 8 April 2025
AustralianSuper appears the worst hit by attacks on several funds late last month, with about 600 of its more than 3 million members affected. Customers say they asked for multi-factor authentication (MFA) as a safeguard on their accounts before cybercriminals targeted the fund.
Australian firms face rising security & travel challenges – 9 April 2025
International SOS has released its 2025 Risk Outlook, highlighting increased security threats that Australian businesses will face. Among the top five security threats identified for Australian companies are cyberattacks, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, misinformation, and transport disruptions. A notable 92 per cent of Australian businesses reported anticipating cyberattacks this year.
https://securitybrief.com.au/story/australian-firms-face-rising-security-travel-challenges
