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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 24 April 2026
Australia’s most decorated veteran walks free on bail on war crimes charges related to Afghan deaths – 17 April 2026
The article reports that a highly decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, accused of murdering Afghan civilians has been released on bail while awaiting trial, in a landmark and highly complex war crimes case that could take years to resolve. He faces five counts of war crime murder relating to the alleged killing of Afghan civilians during deployments in 2009 and 2012.
A repeat of Shield, First Guardian ‘almost impossible’ – 19 April 2026
Ongoing fallout from major investment scheme failures (Shield & First Guardian) shows: alleged misuse of around $1 billion in retirement savings; failures in trustee oversight and investors pursuing legal action over losses. Regulators and industry bodies are now pushing reforms to prevent similar misconduct.
Digital version of article required to read article
CA defends secrecy as Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG face misconduct scrutiny – 20 April 2026
This article reports that Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is defending its decision to keep certain investigations into major consulting firms confidential, even as PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG face ongoing misconduct scrutiny. The ACCC argues that maintaining secrecy around investigations is necessary to protect the integrity of its enforcement work and encourage cooperation from firms.
NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians – 21 April 2026
A parliamentary review found organised crime groups are infiltrating the NDIS disability support system, using: falsified claims and documents; intimidation of vulnerable participants; and kickbacks and laundering methods. The system is being exploited for fraudulent payments and improper billing at scale.
Fake document claims emerge in Corporate Travel Management’s $240 million UK overcharging scandal – 22 April 2026
Corporate Travel Management (CTM), an Australian travel company, has revealed that its UK arm may have used possibly fake or disputed “signed agreements” in relation to a major overcharging scandal worth about $240 million. The article reports a deepening financial and governance scandal in CTM’s UK business, where questionable agreements and accounting practices may have contributed to large-scale overcharging of clients, including government contracts.
Private secretary of billionaire Judith Neilson refused bail on $1.6m fraud charges – 23 April 2026
A former private secretary to billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson has been charged with 68 counts of fraud involving about $1.6 million in alleged unauthorised spending on luxury items. Police allege she used a corporate credit card for personal purchases over several years, including jewellery, clothing, and a luxury Rolex. She has been refused bail and the case has been adjourned.
Coles, Woolworths shoppers may claim up to $5,000 over alleged pricing misconduct: ‘Customers lining up’ – 23 April 2026
The class action alleges the supermarkets engaged in “deceptive or misleading discounting”, where prices were allegedly increased before being marketed as discounts, making savings appear larger than they really were. It covers a period where customers may have been influenced by pricing campaigns that created the impression of genuine discounts when that may not have been the case. Legal representatives argue that affected shoppers could claim between roughly $2,000 and $5,000 per household, depending on spending and impact. More than 30,000 consumers have already registered interest in the potential class action.
City of Joondalup investigating misconduct allegations referred by the Corruption and Crime Commission – 23 April 2026
The article reports that Joondalup council is handling misconduct allegations referred by the state’s anti-corruption watchdog, with legal costs mounting and investigations continuing, but with limited public detail so far.
ASIC issues warning for four ‘finfluencers’ handing out financial advice – 24 April 2026
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued warnings to social media influencers accused of giving unlicensed or misleading financial advice. Allegations include promoting “guaranteed returns” and risky investments (including crypto) without proper licensing.
ASIC is investigating multiple individuals and their supervising financial firms as part of a wider enforcement push.
Two people arrested after $13m drug seizure on Hume Highway – 24 April 2026
A man and woman in their 20s have been charged with drug trafficking after the discovery of $13 million worth of methylamphetamine. The pair were arrested after their vehicle was intercepted on the Hume Highway in north-east Victoria. They have appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates Court and remain in custody.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 17 April 2026
ASIC secures record $350 million in civil penalties and $583 million back to Australians – 25 March 2026
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reported a record enforcement period for the second half of 2025 (July–December), securing $349.8 million in court-ordered civil penalties and helping return $583 million to Australians through refunds, remediation and investor payments.
Courtenay House scam victims demand ASIC compensation payout – 25 March 2026
Victims of the $180 million Courtenay House Ponzi scheme are demanding compensation from ASIC, alleging the regulator failed to act on warnings between 2012 and 2017. The scheme defrauded 585 investors, and victims argue that earlier intervention by ASIC could have prevented significant losses.
Access to digital version of Herald sun required to read article
Mecca companies pay $594,000 in infringement notices for failing to lodge financial reports on time – 31 March 2026
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced that three companies within the Mecca group have paid a combined $594,000 in infringement notices for allegedly failing to lodge audited financial reports on time. ASIC is increasing pressure on large private companies to improve transparency and meet financial reporting deadlines, with Mecca becoming one of the latest high-profile examples
KPMG heads warned over whistleblower claims – 11 April 2026
An investigation by The Saturday Paper reports that senior executives at KPMG have been formally warned by a federal parliamentary committee over their handling of serious whistleblower allegations, with claims now set to be examined further. The former employee reportedly accused KPMG of misconduct during major audit tenders involving clients such as Telstra, Macquarie Group and Dexus. Claims included:
• Receiving confidential “inside” intelligence during competitive tenders
• Accessing restricted client documents during an audit bid
• Potential independence conflicts while pursuing external audit work
• Retaliation after concerns were raised internally.
SMSF scandal: 660 investors discover shocking losses – 13 April 2026
Hundreds of Australians reportedly lost over $160m after switching retirement savings into schemes linked to Australian Fiduciaries. Around 660 Australians are believed to have been affected, with total losses estimated at $160 million to over $200 million. ASIC is investigating AFL and associated entities for potential misconduct, misleading conduct, and failures in financial services obligations. There are also questions about regulatory gaps in SMSF promotion, lead generation practices, and financial advice oversight.
ASIC investigating “complex web of private companies” in Sanjeev Gupta empire – 14 April 2026
The ABC reports that Australia’s corporate regulator, ASIC, has launched multiple active investigations into individuals within Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance empire following the collapse or severe financial distress of several linked companies in Australia. The scrutiny follows the collapse or administration of multiple Australian operations, including assets linked to the Whyalla steelworks, Tahmoor coal, and Bell Bay operations. The ABC notes ASIC’s actions come after years of financial warnings, missed reporting obligations, and ongoing restructuring across the group.
Decade-long ban for adviser central to ASIC’s Shield / First Guardian investigation – 14 April 2026
The article reports that ASIC has imposed a 10-year banning order on a financial adviser central to the Shield and First Guardian collapse investigation, marking one of the most significant enforcement actions linked to the scandal. The adviser, Rhys James Rolls Reilly, was banned for a decade due to serious misconduct in advising clients to invest in the First Guardian Master Fund. ASIC found he failed to properly assess the suitability of the fund for clients before recommending it. He allegedly received $100,000 in undisclosed conflicted payments while advising clients to switch into First Guardian. In Statements of Advice, he made false or misleading declarations, including claiming no conflicted remuneration had been received.
Asia’s scam centre problem is moving on, not shutting down – 16 April 2026
The Lowy Institute Interpreter article explains that Southeast Asia’s “scam centre” industry is not disappearing — it is evolving and relocating, making it a persistent and increasingly hard-to-control transnational crime problem. Criminal networks running online fraud operations (especially investment, romance, and crypto scams) are continuing to operate across Southeast Asia despite police crackdowns. When authorities disrupt centres in one country (such as Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos), operations often move across borders or into more remote, weakly governed areas rather than being dismantled.
NSW DPP lawyer charged over alleged relationships with inmates – 15 April 2026
New South Wales lawyer has been charged over allegations involving inappropriate sexual relationships with prison inmates, alongside claims of serious professional misconduct within the justice system. Authorities allege the conduct involved breaches of public office duties and misuse of sensitive court or police data.
Aussie finance giant Latitude Finance Australia hit with $3.96m fine after 2.7m anti-spam law breaches – 16 April 2026
Latitude Finance Australia has been fined $3.96 million by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) after breaching Australia’s spam laws more than 2.7 million times. Between March 2024 and April 2025, Latitude sent 2.3 million+ marketing messages without proper contact details. 344,416 messages also had unsubscribe options that did not work. Regulators are sending a clear message that repeat misconduct in customer communications will attract heavier penalties and closer scrutiny.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 13 March 2026
Court throws out $2.3m lawsuit against premier – 10 March 2026
A Supreme Court judge has dismissed a former South Australian MP’s $2.3 million lawsuit against Premier Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian government, ruling there was no valid basis for her claim of malicious prosecution. The lawsuit stemmed from 2020 blackmail charges against Annabel Digance and her husband, which were dropped years later. She alleged the premier had abused his office by instigating a wrongful prosecution.
https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in/2026/03/10/court-throws-out-2-3m-lawsuit-against-premier
Former Macquarie executive says her fraud concerns were ignored – 10 March 2026
A former senior executive at a major division of Macquarie Group has claimed that her internal fraud concerns were repeatedly dismissed by company leadership, and that she was later removed from a board role after raising these issues. The situation has prompted scrutiny of corporate governance and whistleblower protections within the company, raising broader questions about how large financial institutions handle internal risk and fraud reporting.
Australian Federal Police officer pleads guilty to making false sworn legal statements before trial – 11 March 2026
A senior Australian Federal Police (AFP) officer, Detective Leading Senior Constable Trent Madders, has pleaded guilty to a charge of knowingly making false sworn legal statements from 5–6 August 2020, just days before he was due to stand trial on more serious charges. He has been suspended from duty with the AFP since being charged and was expected to go to trial next week, but prosecutors and defence counsel agreed to vacate the trial in light of the guilty plea. Madders—who previously worked on high profile investigations including the Brittany Higgins matter and was part of a group of officers that brought a defamation case against the ACT’s former director of public prosecutions—will return to court in August for sentencing.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-11/act-trent-madders-guilty-false-legal-statements/106441072
Finance warned KPMG over cheating disclosure – 11 March 2026
Australia’s Department of Finance has reprimanded KPMG for failing to properly disclose information about past cheating scandals involving the firm, pointing to concerns about transparency and governance in professional services.
NSW employers could soon be fined for workplace bullying or other psychosocial harms under new SafeWork reforms – 11 March 2026
Employers in New South Wales could soon face on-the-spot fines for workplace bullying and other psychosocial hazards under new SafeWork NSW reforms. The NSW Government will invest $127.7 million over four years to strengthen workplace mental-health enforcement and expand the number of workplace safety inspectors.
Chinese national arrested over attempt to smuggle 2,000 queen ants from Kenya – 12 March 2026
A Chinese national was arrested in Kenya after attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 live queen ants out of the country through Nairobi’s main airport. The insects were hidden in test tubes and tissue paper rolls inside his luggage and were believed to be destined for the exotic pet market in Asia and Europe.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7gd57z33zo
Cambodia says it will shut down online scam centres by the end of April – 12 March 2026
Cambodian authorities say they have shut down 80 per cent of locations believed to be carrying out online scams. The industry is linked to human trafficking, as foreigners run romance and cryptocurrency scams in slavery-like conditions. While Cambodia says it aims to shut down all centres by April, an analyst expressed scepticism given the involvement of “key perpetrators among the Cambodian ruling elite”.
Queensland man charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle two NSW fugitives to Indonesia – 12 March 2026
A Queensland aviation company owner has been charged after allegedly organising a covert “black flight” to smuggle two wanted men from Australia to Indonesia. The fugitives were reportedly wanted in NSW for serious offences including kidnapping and large-scale drug crime. The Queensland man has been charged with two counts of people smuggling, each carrying a potential maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Illegal tobacco retailer’s $1.5 million fine reduced to $250,000 after legal appeal – 13 March 2026
A court has significantly reduced a major fine against Tobacco Shed Pty Ltd after the company successfully appealed a penalty for selling illegal tobacco and vaping products. Despite the reduction to 250,000, the penalty remains among the higher fines imposed in Australia for illicit tobacco and vape sales, reflecting the seriousness of the offending.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-13/tobacco-shed-fine-reduced-after-appeal/106449084
Pensioner who stole $240,000 meant for dead mother avoids jail – 13 March 2026
An 82 year old South Australian woman, Nancy Clare McFarlane, avoided immediate jail time after admitting she fraudulently continued to claim over $240,000 in government payments after her 93 year old mother died in 2017. McFarlane repeatedly failed to notify authorities of her mother’s death and continued receiving carer’s and pension payments from Services Australia between 2017 and 2022.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 6 March 2026
CBA calls in police, $1 billion in fraudulent loans as banks battle AI forgeries – 27 February 2026
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has alerted police about a potential sophisticated fraud involving up to $1 billion in fraudulent home loans using advanced AI generated forgeries — possibly the largest banking fraud in Australian history.
New York businesswoman sentenced to nine years for $30m political finance scheme – 28 February 2026
A New York businesswoman was sentenced Friday to nine years in federal prison over a financial scheme that ripped off more than $30m from foreign investors and funnelled some of the stolen money into US political campaigns, including a Donald Trump fundraiser during his first presidency.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/27/new-york-businesswoman-finance-scheme-sentence
IBAC apologises to family violence victim for mishandling complaints about Victoria Police – 2 March 2026
Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog has publicly apologised to a family violence victim for how it handled her complaints about Victoria Police.
Commissioner Victoria Elliott has also expressed “deep regret” for how IBAC responded to a special report about the victim’s matter in 2022.
The victim says the apology is a sign of “strong leadership and improving culture” at IBAC, but that Victoria’s police oversight system must be urgently overhauled.
Three finance firms collapse into liquidation after director ban – 2 March 2026
Three Melbourne based finance firms have gone into voluntary liquidation following a permanent ban on financial adviser Barry David King for dishonest conduct, misuse of client funds, and false documentation.
Access to digital version of herald sun required to read article
Star’s former CEO and lawyer broke Corporations Act, Chinese money laundering case judgement finds – 5 March 2026
The Federal Court found that former Star Entertainment CEO Matthias Bekier and former chief legal officer Paula Martin breached their duties under the Corporations Act, during the casino group’s money-laundering scandal involving Chinese gambling junkets. The judge criticised the company’s leadership culture as “dysfunctional” and “unethical,” noting that external investigations rather than the board exposed the problems.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-05/star-asic-judgement-china-money-casino/106418064
Fraud charges against Sunraysia wine grapegrowers Littore brothers dropped – 5 March 2026
Prosecutors have withdrawn charges of fraud and perverting the course of justice against Sunraysia wine grapegrowers Vincent John Littore and David Littore. Four charges of perjury against Vincent John Littore were also dropped. The Littore family says it is committed to the Australian wine industry despite Wine Australia revoking its export licence for failing to comply with labelling and record-keeping requirements.
Fake invoices and personas: Liv Eat contractor sentenced for $65,000 fraud – 5 March 2026
Timothy John Manning, a contractor working for the Tasmanian food chain Liv Eat, pleaded guilty to stealing more than $65,000 from the business. Manning created fake invoices and false identities to divert company payments into accounts he controlled. The court heard he committed the fraud while under financial pressure from significant gambling losses and the costs of IVF treatment.
Lawsuit filed against Victoria Police over arrest related to Dezi Freeman search – 5 March 2026
Jeremy Sloan (32) has filed a lawsuit against Victoria Police after he and his partner Sarah Naylor (30) were pulled over, held at gunpoint and arrested during the 2025 manhunt for alleged police killer Dezi Freeman. Sloan claims the arrest and treatment by police were unlawful and traumatic, and the legal action seeks compensation for the harm caused.
National boss bankrupt, $19m mansion seized in colossal $94m bust – 5 March 2026
The director of a major national automotive company has been declared bankrupt after the company collapsed with about $94 million in debts. As part of the fallout, receivers have seized his luxury assets, including a $19 million plus mansion in Sydney, to help repay creditors. The company’s collapse marks a significant corporate failure, leaving substantial liabilities and prompting insolvency proceedings.
Access to digital version of Herald sun reequird to read artile
Australian Federal Police see growth in reports of forced marriage, survivor calls for change – 5 March 2026
Helena Hassani, an Afghan born woman who was forced into marriage at age 11 and later escaped, now lives in Australia and is advocating for greater awareness and action on underage forced marriage. She emphasises the role of education and financial independence in escaping such situations. There has been a significant rise in reports of forced marriage to the Australian Federal Police’s Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) — up nearly 30% from 91 in 2023–24 to **118 in 2024–25 nation wide.
