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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.
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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.
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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.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 20 February 2026
Drug vessel MV Raider heading towards Sydney after being stripped of cocaine – 13 February 2026
The MV Raider — a ship previously intercepted near French Polynesia — is now heading towards Sydney after being stripped of its illegal cargo. On January 16, the French Navy boarded the vessel on the high seas and seized about five tonnes of cocaine that had been hidden on board. After removing the narcotics, French authorities dumped the drugs at sea and released the vessel and its crew because they lacked the legal jurisdiction to prosecute. Australian authorities have refused to comment publicly on whether they are monitoring or plan to detain the Raider and its crew if it enters Australian waters.
Australians’ personal data could soon be accessible by US agencies. Here’s why – 14 February 2026
Reports have emerged that the Australian government might be pressured to agree to a data-sharing arrangement with the United States, linked to continued participation in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Under proposals tied to an Enhanced Border Security Partnership (EBSP), the US would gain access to sensitive information on Australians — including passport/ID details, facial images, fingerprints, police and immigration records, and potentially other data — to vet travellers entering the US. The Department of Home Affairs has declined to confirm whether negotiations are underway or if Australia is agreeing to such data access ahead of a 31 December deadline set by the US.
Ukraine’s ex-energy minister arrested while trying to cross border – 15 February 2026
Former Energy Minister German Galushchenko was detained by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) while attempting to cross the country’s border on February 15, as part of a major graft investigation. The scandal involves an alleged money-laundering and kickback scheme tied to Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company, Energoatom, and has already led to multiple high-level resignations and investigations.
Alleged fake lawyer accused of $1.4m deception has identity suppressed – 16 February 2026
A Melbourne woman has been charged over allegedly posing as a qualified lawyer at several law firms and earning a total of about A$1.4 million in salary and salaries over several years despite having no law degree or practising certificate. Six charges have been laid, including obtaining a financial advantage by deception and engaging in legal practice while not qualified.
Highly sensitive Australian court data accessed by foreign entity based in India – 17 February 2026
An ABC investigation found highly sensitive transcripts from Australian federal and family courts were accessed by staff at e24 Technologies, a company based in Chennai, India, after being subcontracted work by VIQ Solutions, the Canadian firm contracted to produce court transcripts. This occurred without notifying the courts and in breach of VIQ’s Commonwealth contracts and federal law, which require strict confidentiality and prohibit unsanctioned offshore access to court data.
Anti-slavery commissioner calls for tougher laws amid forced labour concerns for Ansell and Kmart – 17 February 2026
Australia’s anti slavery commissioner, Chris Evans, says current modern slavery laws are too weak, allowing many companies to treat reporting requirements as a “tick a box” exercise rather than genuinely combatting forced labour. He wants mandatory due diligence obligations requiring companies to actively identify and address slavery risks — similar to anti money laundering duties — and the ability to designate high risk industries or products for closer scrutiny. Evans warned that without stronger laws, Australia risks becoming a “dumping ground” for goods made with forced labour that other countries with tougher rules won’t accept.
KPMG partner fined for using artificial intelligence to cheat in AI training test – 17 February 2026
A partner at KPMG Australia was fined A$10,000 after using artificial intelligence tools to cheat on an internal AI training examination. The partner uploaded training materials into an AI system to help answer questions, which violated KPMG’s internal policies. The case highlights growing challenges firms face in balancing the adoption of AI with enforcing ethical standards, especially in testing and training contexts.
Hacker releases data after claiming to have accessed ‘hundreds of thousands’ of Aussies’ loans, driver’s licences – 18 February 2026
A threat actor has released data online that it claims to have stolen from Sydney based finance technology company youX, which provides software used by brokers and lenders to process loan applications. The hacker claims to have accessed a huge dataset — hundreds of thousands of Australians’ personal information, including names, phone numbers, residential addresses, loan application details and driver’s licence numbers.
Andrew released under investigation after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office – 19 February 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on 19 February 2026 — his 66th birthday — by Thames Valley Police in Norfolk, England. He was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest is linked to allegations stemming from recently released “Epstein files”, which suggest that while he served as a UK trade envoy in the 2000s he may have forwarded confidential government material to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t
Employees of Albany lolly shop fined for illegal tobacco sales say they were never paid – 19 February 2026
Two employees of a shop in Albany CBD that presented itself as a lolly store were fined $1,000 each and received spent convictions after admitting they sold tobacco products without a licence and unlawfully possessed a prescription drug. Detectives raided the premises last month and seized over 22,000 cigarettes and 89 nicotine vapes.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-19/illegal-tobacco-fines-albany-lolly-shop/106364808
Sydney businessman falsely claimed security advice given to Chinese spies came from Kevin Rudd, court hears – 19 February 2026
Sydney businessman Alexander Csergo, 59, has gone on trial in the NSW District Court after pleading not guilty to a reckless foreign interference charge. Prosecutors allege Csergo provided reports to two people he believed worked for China’s Ministry of State Security, in exchange for cash, between late 2021 and early 2023. The reports covered topics like Australia’s defence alliances (AUKUS), global diplomatic grouping the Quad, lithium and iron ore markets, and German politics.
Cyber criminals use self-managed super as ‘getaway vehicle’, as illegal access rises – 19 February 2026
Australian regulators — including the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) — warn that cyber criminals are using self managed super funds as a “getaway vehicle” to divert and steal people’s retirement savings. Criminals allegedly create fraudulent SMSFs using stolen identities, roll over superannuation from members’ main funds into these bogus SMSFs, then withdraw or siphon off the money.
Man charged with terrorism offences after phones seized in Sydney’s south-west – 19 February 2026
NSW Police have charged a 31 year old man with terrorism related offences after violent extremist material was allegedly found on mobile phones seized during a traffic stop in Yagoona, south west Sydney late last year. When investigators examined the phones, with help from the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, they allegedly uncovered violent extremist material on one of the devices.
NDIS worker allegedly steals $5 million from taxpayers in business fraud scheme – 20 February 2026
A 47-year-old man from Darwin, who works for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), has been arrested and charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) over alleged fraud involving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Authorities allege he used his position as a public servant to refer vulnerable NDIS participants to a disability service provider that he co-owned. That business has claimed more than $28 million in NDIS funds since 2019, with about $5 million identified as suspicious by investigators.
