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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 4 April 2025
Players in alleged $200m GST scam turn on each other in court – 28 March 2025
The Tax Office claims collapsed hospitality group Virtical accrued $120 million in fake GST refunds to fund its purchase of iconic pubs in Sydney and Melbourne – in what would count as the biggest GST fraud in the country’s history if proven. At the hearings, former directors Mark Toma and John Palasty pointed fingers at each other over the tens of millions of dollars of GST claims based on $1.2 billion in construction work that the ATO claimed did not happen.
Government report backed ABC revelation of hidden links between Brisbane casino owner and crime figure – 28 March 2025
The Crisafulli government has released an investigation report finding Brisbane casino co-owner Chow Tai Fook had a “concealed relationship” with a criminal junket boss — substantiating a revelation by the ABC in 2022. The former government took legal advice that it was “open” to finding Chow Tai Fook unsuitable as a casino owner, but would face challenges proving it “deliberately” misled the regulator.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-28/brisbane-casino-owner-falsely-denied-business-ties/105105808
Queensland financial adviser banned by ASIC for five years – 29 March 2025
ASIC has issued a five-year ban against Queensland-based financial adviser, Grant Richard Thomson. The regulatory body found that Thomson consistently failed to act in his clients’ best interests when providing financial advice. Specifically, the advice on insurance often included recommendations for levels of coverage that factored in mortgages clients had not yet secured.
Football and media personality Eddie McGuire used in deepfake financial advertisement – 31 March 2025
Scammers have used footage of Eddie McGuire in a deepfake advertisement that alters his speech to make it sound like he’s promoting a financial investment opportunity. McGuire says it’s not the first time his image has been used, and that he has encountered roadblocks in getting fake videos removed from social media in the past.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-31/vic-eddie-mcguire-deepfake-video-financial-scam/105115764
US music star Sean Kingston faces ‘decades’ behind bars as he and his mother are found guilty of fraud – 31 March 2025
Sean Kingston and his mother were found guilty of swindling more than $1 million from car dealerships, banks, jewellers, and even a mattress company using fake documents to score luxury goods, including a bulletproof Escalade and a colossal TV.
Corporate regulator gets down to business in 1Q25 – 31 March 2025
ASIC was active in the first quarter of 2025 with several financial adviser banning’s and serious court action. Article details the most significant action announced by ASIC or the FSCP in the first three months of the year.
Building in Philippines hides dark secret ripping off Aussies – 1 April 2025
Corporate offices (aca “boiler rooms”) across Asia are hiding scammers who are pretending to be romantic partners, crypto enthusiasts and investment gurus to defraud victims online. The AFP announced it had deployed two cybercrime experts to support AFP liaison officers in the Philippines in tackling the problem.
Scams and card fraud on the rise – 2 April 2025
Over two million Australians experienced card fraud and 675,000 responded to a scam in 2023-24, according to new results from the Personal Fraud Survey (PFS) released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/scams-and-card-fraud-rise
Grant Thornton outlines critical preparations for AML regime – 2 April 2025
Businesses should prepare for ‘once in a generation’ amendments to Australia’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) rules, set to take effect in March 2026, Grant Thornton said. Per AUSTRAC, the reforms would bolster Australia’s ability to effectively deter, detect and disrupt money laundering and terrorism financing.
EVP claims StrongRoom founder admitted to fraud, faked accounts – 3 April 2025
One of StrongRoom AI’s biggest investors alleges the start-up’s founder admitted to fraud and faked information to win a government research grant, while a director used its accounts to pay for a trip to Morocco.
Scams cost Australian small businesses AUD $7.9 million – 3 April 2025
In 2024, small businesses across Australia experienced losses amounting to AUD $7.9 million due to scams. This figure, although significantly reduced from the AUD $17.3 million loss in the previous year, remains a significant burden for the business sector. The analysis identifies false billing as the most frequently reported type of scam, with 422 reports and a combined loss exceeding AUD $3.6 million. Despite the lower frequency of investment scam reports, these accounted for the highest losses per incidence, with an estimated total of over AUD $3.7 million from just 50 reports.
https://securitybrief.com.au/story/scams-cost-australian-small-businesses-aud-7-9-million
Melbourne man faces eviction after moving into home linked to suspected NDIS fraudster – 3 April 2025
An ABC investigation has found businesses linked to a suspected NDIS fraudster failed to pay the rent on residential properties, leaving people with disabilities facing eviction. Property owners say they’ve been left to clean up tens of thousands of dollars of damage. The businesses are linked to Melbourne man Khawaja Moeen Haroon, who is at the centre of a multi-agency probe investigating a suspected multi-million-dollar fraud, but denies the allegations.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/ndis-participants-eviction-khawaja-moeen-haroon/105107014
Victorian crime figure Tony Mokbel granted bail by Court of Appeal, as he fights to overturn drug convictions – 4 April 2025
Victorian crime figure Tony Mokbel has been granted bail in Victoria’s Court of Appeal. Mokbel’s lawyers successfully argued there were “exceptional circumstances” that warranted his release. Mokbel will be subject to extensive bail conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor and reporting daily to police.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-04/tony-mokbel-victoria-crime-boss-bail-decision/105135556
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 28 March 2025
Man who pretended to be nurse at Adelaide hospital has ‘narcissistic’ personality component, court hears – 21 March 2025
Brandon Chesney previously pleaded guilty to offences relating to him impersonating a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. A victim who was attended to by Chesney at the hospital said the offending had resulted in her having trust issues with the state’s health system. Chesney will be sentenced next week.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-21/sa-man-brandon-chesney-faked-being-a-nurse-at-rah/105080638
Integrity watchdog boss steps aside from six defence investigations – 23 March 2025
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has confirmed its chief Paul Brereton has recused himself from six defence matters referred to the watchdog and assigned those matters to a deputy commissioner. Integrity experts are concerned about how Mr Brereton is handling potential conflict of interest issues related to defence.
The integrity watchdog will appear before a Senate committee.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-23/integrity-watchdog-boss-steps-aside/105084982
Doctor takes script fraud across interstate lines – 24 March 2025
A doctor who stole a colleague’s prescription pad and forged her signature had his tangled web of lies uncovered when he took his crimes interstate. His conduct was revealed in court documents presented before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Thirty criminal charges and VCAT has reprimanded Dr Whyte for his actions and disqualified him from reapplying for registration for 18 months.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/doctor-takes-script-fraud-across-001055797.html
Gavin Jeffery Durbridge jailed for 1991 rape of 13-year-old boy in Carine park – 25 March 2025
A 55-year-old man has today been sentenced to eight years in prison, marking the first successful prosecution of a person identified through Investigative Genetic Genealogy techniques in Western Australia. https://www.facebook.com/WA.Police/posts/a-55-year-old-man-has-today-been-sentenced-to-eight-years-in-prison-marking-the-/1070996015071585/
Disability advocacy service in administration amid grant funding investigation – 25 March 2025
SA’s Disability Rights Advocacy Service has gone into administration and an “urgent assessment of its operations and financial position” is underway.
The appointment of administrators comes amid an investigation into the handling of grant funding by the past management of the service.
A meeting of creditors, which is legally required to be held, has been scheduled.
NSW Police arrest seven men after organised crime theft of 1.4 tonnes of tobacco in Sydney – 26 March 2025
Police have arrested seven men following the theft of 1.4 tonnes of tobacco in incidents across Sydney. In one incident, a man suffered a partially severed toe at Condell Park in January. Detectives are still investigating a raid at North Rocks where they found $10 million worth of tobacco.
Crooked – 27 March 2025
A decade-long investigation has uncovered explosive new evidence suggesting that corrupt former NSW Crime Commission assistant director Mark Standen’s criminality was far more extensive than the public was led to believe. While Standen was jailed for a single drug importation, he is the most senior crime fighter in the country ever to be convicted for such an offence. And now sources and official documents indicate he protected criminals, sabotaged investigations, and is believed to have helped facilitate multiple imports of illegal drugs.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-27/crooked/105101538
Nine newspapers subscribers have data exposed online in breach – 27 March 2025
The data of thousands of Nine newspapers subscribers has been exposed online following a major cybersecurity breach. Sixteen-thousand subscribers of the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Financial Review have had their names, postal addresses and email addresses left exposed online. The organisation said it is contacting all of its subscribers who have been impacted.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-27/data-16000-nine-newspapers-readers-breach/105105692
Whistleblowers sceptical as details of review into NSW Police culture emerge – 27 March 2025
NSW Police has confirmed that a review into claims of a toxic culture are now underway. Last year, ABC investigations explored claims of widespread homophobia, bullying, sexism and a lack of mental health support with the state’s police force. Former senior sergeant Mel Cooper, who was one of the first to speak out, says she has not been contacted by NSW Police.
Documents expose safety breaches at G8 Education childcare centres – 27 March 2025
G8 Education, Australia’s billion-dollar listed childcare empire, has become embroiled in a damning document dump revealing dozens of its centres in NSW have exposed children to serious safety risks including toxic chemicals, inappropriate discipline, yelling, children going missing and disturbing cases of alleged sexual assaults. The revelations form part of a major ABC investigation into the $20 billion childcare industry.
AFP, Banks Warn Students of Side-Hustle Scams – 27 March 2025
The AFP claim criminal networks are using the start of the new university year to target students through online job ads offering quick and easy money for tasks that seem legitimate on the surface, but are ultimately illicit. These jobs may seem harmless however, the consequences can be catastrophic for victims. Criminals are either manipulating victims to launder illicit funds for them or stealing victims’ identities, scamming them and leaving them out of pocket.
https://www.miragenews.com/afp-banks-warn-students-of-side-hustle-scams-1433460/
How ex-Uber Eats exec stole $80K from 50 Aussie restaurants – 28 March 2025
A former Uber Eats executive managed to rort the system and steal almost $80K from 50 restaurants across Australia. Here’s how he did it.
Access to Daily Telegraph required to read article
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 21 March 2025
Five criminal charges dropped against ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle – 14 March 2025
Criminal charges against Richard Boyle, who blew the whistle on aggressive tax collection practices, have been dropped, including three counts of attempting to disclose protected information and two counts of attempting to divulge or communicate a tax file number. But three other charges of attempting to disclose protected information remain.
Rideshare driver to pay back over $125,000 after compensation scheme fraud – 14 March 2025
An individual from Clayton South in Victoria has been ordered to pay back more than $125,000 after defrauding the state’s workers’ compensation system. Abid Khan, was caught receiving weekly compensation and superannuation payments despite already working as a rideshare driver.
Australia’s results improve in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index – 18 March 2025
Australia scored 77 out of 100 in Transparency International’s recently released Corruption Perceptions Index (2024), representing an improved score from prior years, and re-entering the top 10 for the first time in almost a decade. Commentators have attributed the improvement to the Federal Government’s integrity reforms over the last few years, including new foreign bribery and anti-money laundering laws.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy officially sacked by government after ICAC scandal – 18 March 2025
Mr Murphy was stood down by the government on March 8, just over a week after Ms Finocchiaro was first made aware of Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) findings against him. ICAC found in early 2024 Mr Murphy engaged in “improper conduct” by helping his good friend get a high-placed job in the police force, and sitting on the panel that hired him.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/nt-michael-murphy-officially-sacked/105068762
AI squeezes the juice from data to stop scams – 18 March 2025
AI technology is being adopted at a rapid rate by local banks to combat fraud, according to the AFR Intelligence white paper, Second generation technology: Banking on the next transformation, commissioned by NextGen. The report’s findings show more than three-quarters (83 per cent) of Australian banking executives say they are implementing AI in their operations, making the financial services sector an Australian AI leader.
Court tells Meta to unlock scam data in win for Twiggy on crypto ads – 19 March 2025
A US judge has ordered tech giant Meta to hand over details about how fraudsters use its platform after the company revealed it has hosted 230,000 scam ads featuring billionaire Andrew Forrest’s image since 2019. The revelations emerged during a hearing in California, as part of Forrest’s long-running legal battle over scam cryptocurrency advertisements, featuring the mining magnate published on Meta’s platforms, which have cost Australians millions of dollars.
Police investigator into murder of Glenn Walewicz details how they cracked the case in first public interview – 19 March 2025
For the first time, the lead investigator on the death of Glenn Walewicz has detailed how police found those responsible. 48-year-old Glenn Walewicz died in mid-June after he was shot outside his Canberra home. It was nearly a year before the mastermind was found. This was due to persistence and some help from modern technology.
‘Flash’ messages, fake websites, and ex-Cyclone Alfred: Scammers’ latest tricks – 20 March 2025
According to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s latest Targeting Scams report, scam losses reported to key organisations hit $2 billion in 2024. Scammers are becoming more creative and finding new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting Australians. From caller ID spoofing to severe weather recovery scams and fake websites, the article lists the latest scams to watch out for right now.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australia-latest-scams-warning/41gk5kark
Australian victims warned over rising cryptocurrency exchange impersonation scams – 20 March 2025
The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), in partnership with the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), has reached out to more than 130 potential victims alerting them to the impersonation scam targeting the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. They were identified through messages found on an end-to-end encryption platform. Targets were allegedly contacted via SMS and encrypted messaging platforms by someone claiming to be a Binance representative who said their cryptocurrency accounts had been breached.
ICAC probe clears police and solicitors over Colleen Gwynne charges – 20 March 2025
The NT’s corruption watchdog investigated allegations that senior police and solicitors abused their power by maliciously pursuing a criminal case against Colleen Gwynne.
The ICAC delegate ultimately determined the “evidence does not support the making of any finding of improper conduct”. The NT Attorney-General has sought a briefing from her department on the report, which the ICAC finalised nearly a year ago.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-20/colleen-gwynne-icac-report-police-investigation/105078074
Conman Peter Foster gets $170k from cops … and wants more – 21 March 2025
NSW Police have been ordered to pay Australia’s greatest conman $170,000 in legal costs after his spectacular arrest on a Queensland beach exposed decades of improper practices.
https://apple.news/AV1ENBQ3jRR628gm1jtTWKw
https://www.2gb.com/quite-ironic-notorious-conman-scores-170k-legal-win/
NSW upper house committee to launch inquiry into troubled childcare sector – 21 March 2025
A parliamentary inquiry has been called into the troubled childcare sector following a landmark ABC investigation into serious safety breaches in the industry. The NSW upper house committee on education met and formally backed an inquiry. Submissions will remain open until the end of May, with public hearings scheduled for August, September and October in Sydney and regional NSW
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-21/nsw-to-launch-inquiry-into-childcare-sector/105078484
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 14 March 2025
Melbourne fraudster sentenced for swindling $35,000 via cyber scam – 7 March 2025
A Melbourne man charged as part of an international police takedown of a cybercrime platform has been ordered to pay $34,990 compensation for fraud-related offences. The man was a user of LabHost, a now defunct cybercrime platform allegedly marketed as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for phishing, which was brought down in April, 2024. The LabHost platform enabled cybercriminals to fraudulently replicate more than 170 websites of reputable banks, government entities and other major organisations, to trick unsuspecting victims into believing they were legitimate.
Police launch investigation into Pastoralists and Graziers Association as it prepares to exit voluntary administration – 7 March 2025
The Pastoralists and Graziers Association says allegations of financial misconduct within the organisation are being investigated by police.
It comes as the prominent agricultural lobby group prepares to exit voluntary administration after creditors approved a rescue package at a meeting in Perth.
Businesses ill-equiped to deal with rising threat of deepfake scams – 7 March 2025
Some businesses and accountants are struggling to keep pace with emerging deceptive practices such as deepfake scams, a fraud specialist has warned. Advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, have enabled fraudsters to develop more sophisticated scams and fraud attempts in the past couple of years, including deepfake scams used to impersonate other people.
Liability for bank payment fraud – lessons from Mobius v Inoteq – 10 March 2025
According to the Australian Banking Association, 250,000 cases of misdirected bank payment fraud cost Australian businesses an estimated A$320 million last year. Yet so far there have been relatively few decisions in Australian courts on the question of liability for misdirected bank payments. Just before the end of last year, Australian cyber lawyers received an unexpected present: a decision on liability for bank payment fraud. Nicholas Blackmore looks at the decision and what it means for disputes about misdirected bank payments.
Whistleblower at NSW government department concerned by internal survey results, as staff member dies by suicide – 10 March 2025
A whistleblower has raised the alarm on a crucial state government department after an employee recently took their own life, as dire results from a staff survey have been leaked. More than half the workers at the Building Commission NSW are looking for a new job while 70 per cent are burnt out, according to an internal questionnaire
Workplace tensions: Salesperson disputes dismissal after refusing investigation – 11 March 2025
A worker challenged his dismissal before the Fair Work Commission (FWC), arguing that his employer had unfairly ended his employment. He claimed that he was not given a fair chance to respond to allegations against him and that the employer’s handling of the matter was procedurally flawed.
Australia reports decrease in scam losses and activities in 2024 – 12 March 2025
The National Anti-Scam Centre’s comprehensive 2024 report highlighted a significant decrease in scam-related financial losses, totaling $2.03 billion—a 25.9% reduction from the previous year. This data underscores the ongoing efforts to combat the financial impact of scams targeting Australians.
AFCA gains new powers as scam losses drop in Australia – 12 March 2025
The federal government has approved changes allowing the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to investigate the role of receiving banks in scam-related cases. Under current rules, AFCA can only review the actions of the bank that transferred a customer’s funds.The new directive, set to take effect within 12 months, will expand AFCA’s authority to examine whether receiving banks took appropriate measures to prevent fraudulent transactions.
https://psnews.com.au/financial-complaints-agency-getting-more-powers-to-investigate-scams/155401
Greater ethics requirements contributing to lower fraud levels – 12 March 2025
Advisers may struggle to meet their ethics CPD requirements, but the learnings are paying off as research finds it has helped to reduce adviser misconduct and financial fraud.
Australian Border Force employee charged for allegedly conspiring to smuggle drugs – 12 March 2025
An Australian Border Force employee and an alleged crime figure have been charged with bribery and drug offences. It’s alleged the employee was paid in cash to bypass security checks for drugs being smuggled into the country. The employee and alleged crime figure, along with two others, are expected to appear in court.
Police seek information after Foster woman scammed of $130,000 – 13 March 2025
Police are investigating the theft of $130,000 from an elderly regional Victorian woman. The scammer visited her Foster home and took her bank card from her — a measure she thought was the bank’s way of protecting her. The card was then used 130 times before being cancelled, robbing her of a large chunk of her life savings.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-13/police-seek-information-after-foster-woman-scammed/105045880
Why we need stronger whistleblower protections – 13 March 2025
Whistleblowers play a vital role in our democracy by standing up for truth and accountability. Unfortunately, Australia’s weak laws mean that whistleblowers face punishment and reprisals when they speak up. In February, the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill was introduced. The Bill would establish a body to oversee and enforce whistleblower protections, facilitate whistleblower disclosures, and safeguard whistleblowers who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
AFP raids Melbourne properties in CFMEU investigation – 13 March 2025
Police raided two properties in Melbourne on Thursday as part of an investigation into the CFMEU and corruption in the building industry. Australian Federal Police executed search warrants at a business address on Arthurton Road in Northcote and a five-bedroom home on Lynwood Parade in Templestowe Lower in what is understood to be an investigation into large financial transactions.
Belgian prosecutors arrest ‘Huawei lobbyists’ in corruption probe linked to EU parliament – 14 March 2025
Multiple people have been arrested by Belgian prosecutors who raided addresses as part of a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament. Local reports suggest the probe centres on lobbyists working for the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei suspected of bribing EU members to promote the company’s commercial policy. Belgian newspaper Le Soir says “several lobbyists” in custody are due to appear in front of a judge for questioning.
