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Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 21 January 2026
WA is losing the tobacco wars as gangs target vape stores and cheap cigarettes flood market – 19 January 2026
Western Australia is struggling to control a growing illegal tobacco and vape market, with criminal gangs increasingly dominating a trade, the state’s outdated laws aren’t equipped to tackle. Opposition figures and experts argue for powers like those in other states, including higher fines and the ability to shut down illegal retailers quickly.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-19/wa-losing-the-fight-to-control-illegal-cigarettes/106242556
Elphinstone Engineering director sentenced for interfering with Aboriginal relics – 19 January 2026
A magistrate says a company director ought to have known of a significant Aboriginal site on his land prior to interfering with relics. Graeme Elphinstone was fined $12,000 for nine counts of contravening the Aboriginal Heritage Act, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of $181,000. Speaking outside court, Mr Elphinstone said the prosecution had wasted his and the court’s time.
Tribunal bans senior nurse for trying to take patient’s medication, altering hospital records – 19 January 2026
Registered nurse Sarah Rebecca Nolan has been banned from providing any health service for four years after a tribunal found she attempted to steal a surgical patient’s ADHD medication. A tribunal found she also falsified the patient’s hospital records and “manipulated” a younger colleague’s Facebook account in an attempt to cover up her actions. A tribunal has ordered Ms Nolan also pay costs of the proceedings.
Sydney dentist accused of drugging woman before sexually assaulting her facing new rape, sexual touching allegations against two more women – 20 January 2026
Maged Fouad Farag, is accused of drugging a young woman with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during a “job trial” at his Rockdale dental clinic and then sexually assaulting her, including touching her breasts and genitals and taking naked photographs without consent. He allegedly asked the woman to sign a non disclosure agreement and undress for a supposed skin check, according to court documents.
Strict bail for ‘risky’ accused $3.6m NDIS fraudster Billal Chami – 20 January 2026
Billal Chami, a 31-year-old director of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court accused of defrauding around $3.6 million in NDIS funds by allegedly redirecting money meant for disability supports into his own accounts and withdrawing large sums in cash. Prosecutors allege the scheme affected about 26 NDIS participants and involved deposits of about $3.7 million into accounts linked to his company. Chami has been charged with dealing with money reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime valued at $1 million or more, has not entered a plea, and faces possible future sanctions, including potential banning of his firm from the NDIS.
Alleged scam mastermind arrested after being exposed by BBC – 21 January 2026
Cambodian authorities have arrested prominent businessman Kuong Li, who was featured in a 2023 BBC Eye investigation into online scam operations. He has been charged with illegal recruitment for exploitation, aggravated fraud, organised crime and money laundering linked to alleged offences since 2019, both in Cambodia and overseas. A Phnom Penh court ordered him remanded in custody on 15 January. Kuong Li appeared in The Pig Butchering Romance Scam, which examined alleged human trafficking and fraud within scam compounds in South East Asia, including the Huang Le compound in Sihanoukville, which he owns.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy8v31kkv1o
IBAC operation picton: Victorian Police accused of cover up – 21 January 2026
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is investigating alleged misconduct by up to eight police officers, including evidence tampering and potential cover-ups.
Access to digital version of The Australian required to read article
Celebrity Ink under ACC investigation amid franchise revolt – 21 January 2026
The competition watchdog has launched a probe into alleged unethical conduct by the tattoo franchise brand, including excessive fees and unfair breach notices.
Australia watchdog orders audit of fintech Airwallex on suspected compliance miss – 22 January 2026
Australia’s financial crime regulator, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), has ordered an external audit of payment fintech Airwallex Pty over suspected failures to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) rules.
Ex-Financial Advisor Torre Gets Six Years for Fraud – 23 January 2026
Former financial adviser Anthony Paul Torre has been sentenced to six years in prison by the District Court of Western Australia. He will be eligible for parole after serving four years. Torre pleaded guilty on 28 January 2025 to three counts of stealing and two counts of fraud related to the misappropriation of $1,030,000 from clients’ superannuation funds between March 2010 and January 2015 under sections 378 and 409 of the WA Criminal Code. Victims included older clients (a couple in their 60s lost about $500,000, and another man over 60 lost about $150,000).
https://www.miragenews.com/ex-financial-advisor-torre-gets-six-years-for-1606557/
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 16 January 2026
Maguire-linked directors banned for five years over $57m collapse – 13 January 2026
The spectacular downfall of a business empire linked to disgraced MP Daryl Maguire has resulted in maximum five-year bans for two directors who misused their positions. Two directors tied to United World Enterprises (UWE), previously promoted by former MP Daryl Maguire, were banned from company management for 5 years due to insolvent trading, misuse of assets and misconduct.
Access to digital version of Daily Telegraph required
Concern ‘ghost stores’ taking advantage of Bondi massacre in online scam – 13 January 2026
NSW Fair Trading is investigating an online retailer called Isla & James accused of trying to profit from the recent Bondi Beach terror attack by exploiting public grief to boost sales. The website claimed one of its co founders had been shot in the attack and used that narrative to promote a closing down sale — but authorities now believe these claims were false and misleading.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/nsw-bondi-beach-terror-attack-online-store-scam/106224742
Hackers access names, emails of Victorian students in data breach – 14 January 2026
Hackers have accessed names, email addresses and encrypted passwords of current and former students at all Victorian government schools. The education department said it had identified “the point of the breach” and that “safeguards” had been put in place. The department said there was no evidence to suggest the data had been released publicly or shared with other third parties.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-14/student-data-breach-victorian-education-department/106230114
Police investigating fraud claim against director of liquidated caravan manufacturer Zone RV – 15 January 2026
Zone RV will be liquidated after creditors voted to wind up the luxury caravan manufacturer. The Sunshine Coast-based company collapsed in December, owing $42 million. Liquidators are set to pursue director David Biggar, with police also investigating a fraud complaint.
Ex-travel agent charged with defrauding clients out of $33k – 14 January 2026
Joanne Harding-Smith, 55, a former Brisbane travel agent and director of Maverick Travel has allegedly take money from clients for cruise bookings in 2023 but only paid part of those funds to the cruise companies, keeping the rest. She’s been charged with seven counts of fraud by dishonest application of property held in trust—a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Body corp manager allegedly took $170K+ in property from clients – 15 January 2026
It is alleged that Chloe Rochelle Melenewycz, a 27-year-old from Greenslopes and former strata/community manager for Archers The Strata Professionals in Brisbane improperly obtained financial entitlements (“chose in action”) from several Brisbane apartment buildings, including one valued at about $135,017 in Woolloongabba, allegedly by falsifying invoices and reimbursement reports and using restricted systems without permission.
Alleged firebomber charged over arson attack on shop with suspected illegal tobacco links in South West – 15 January 2026
Detectives have charged a 38-year-old South Perth man in relation to the alleged firebombing of a convenience store in the state’s South West. The resulting fire gutted the shop and damaged nearby businesses. The man was remanded in custody and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on February 11.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-15/alleged-tobacco-firebomber-charged/106228292
International students face fraud crackdown in Australia – 15 January 2026
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has tightened visa scrutiny on student visa applicants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan by raising their Evidence Level from 2 to 3 under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). This change was justified by “emerging integrity issues” — meaning a higher perceived risk of fraud associated with applications from these countries.
https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2026/international-students-face-fraud-crackdown-in-australia.html
Qld Health surgeons front court over alleged $3m kickback scheme – 15 January 2026
Three men, including neurosurgeons Richard Laherty and Dihan Aponso, were charged over secret payments (~$2.8m) linked to procurement of medical products, involving fraud and false accounting.
Access to digital version of courier mail required to read article
Pawnbroking industry on notice after firm slammed for unlawful 480 per cent interest – 16 January 2026
The Federal Court of Australia ruled that Taylors Business, a pawnbroking company in Melbourne, charged customers annual interest rates equivalent to about 480% — far above what Australian consumer credit laws allow. The court determined the business operated without a valid pawnbroking licence and voided all loan contracts it had issued, meaning they’re unenforceable.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 19 December 2025
Tasmanian parliament passes new sentencing laws, leading to stronger punishments for hate crimes – 16 December 2025
Tasmania’s parliament has unanimously approved amendments to the state’s Sentencing Act that strengthen how courts punish offences motivated by hate or prejudice. The changes are intended to impose tougher penalties when crimes are driven by hatred or target people because of who they are.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-16/tasmania-passes-new-hate-crime-laws/105767410
NSW police unlawfully arrested and choked man then tried to delete footage, watchdog finds – 18 December 2025
An investigation by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) concluded that two NSW police officers engaged in serious misconduct in an incident from 2021. One officer unlawfully arrested and choked a man who had gone to a police station to report a car accident, and then tried to delete evidence of his actions.
Former banker charged over $105m fake loan syndicate – 18 December 2025
A 34 year old former banker/mortgage broker has been charged with 89 fraud related offences in connection with a massive fake loan syndicate that allegedly defrauded banks of about $105 million. Police allege the group used stolen personal information to apply for fraudulent loans through multiple financial institutions. Some loans were supposedly used to buy luxury vehicles that didn’t exist (“ghost cars”), and others were for personal, business, and home loans. The accused is described as part of the third alleged ringleader in the syndicate and is accused of directing criminal activity and recruiting corrupt insiders from within banks and mortgage broking networks.
Public officers facing corruption charges over alleged secret payments for medical devices in public hospitals – 18 December 2025P
Five people are facing criminal charges after an extensive corruption investigation, dubbed Investigation Barzona, conducted by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) in cooperation with the Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO). It is alleged that representatives of a medical device company made secret payments to public officers in return for those officials favouring the company’s devices for use in Queensland public hospitals. The officers are also accused of failing to declare conflicts of interest to Queensland Health.
Former Dobell MP Craig Thomson jailed over multi-million-dollar migration fraud – 18 December 2025
Former Labor MP for Dobell Craig Thomson was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to fraud offences related to a multi-million-dollar visa/migration fraud scheme and COVID-era payment fraud. Thomson charged people up to $50,000 to help with visa applications despite not being a registered migration agent, acting as a middleman when applicants could have used legitimate agents.
Ghislaine Maxwell asks court to vacate her 20-year prison sentence – 18 December 2025
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has asked a federal court to vacate or amend her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Maxwell, a former British socialite, claims that “substantial new evidence” has emerged from civil cases, investigative reports and other documents demonstrating that she did not receive a fair trial, according to a court filing in New York. The appeal follows several failed attempts from Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021, to try to reduce her prison sentence.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qedpnw0w0o
Jack smith tells congress that he could prove Trump engaged in a “criminal scheme” to overturn 2020 election – 19 December 2025
Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith told Republican lawmakers that his investigative team had developed “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that former President Donald Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith made these statements during a closed-door deposition after being subpoenaed by the committee.
Macquarie hit with $35m fine over short sale misreporting – 19 December 2025
Macquarie will pay a $35 million fine after admitting to the corporate regulator that it misreported up to 73 million short sales over a 15-year period. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said the inaccurate reporting was due to “multiple systems-related failures, many of which remained undetected for more than a decade”.
Police believe seven men arrested in Sydney raid had ‘extremist Islamic ideology – 19 December 2025
Heavily armed NSW Police carried out a dramatic operation in Liverpool, Sydney’s south-west, arresting seven men after receiving intelligence that a violent act might be being planned. Tactical officers intercepted two vehicles in the area of George and Campbell Streets, near the Westfield shopping centre.
Lamar Ahchee, 42, jailed for 12 years in Bali after smuggling $1.1m of cocaine – 19 December 2025
Lamar Ahchee, a 42 year old Australian man from Queensland, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by a court in Bali after being found guilty of trafficking cocaine. He was also fined 2 billion rupi. Police found 1.7 kilograms of cocaine — valued at roughly $1.1 million — concealed inside 206 Lindt chocolate wrappers at his apartment in North Kuta. The drugs were discovered after authorities tracked two suspicious packages sent through the mail.
Investigation & Fraud News – Week ending 12 December 2025
Lawyer accused of extracting firm data fails to bolster defence – 5 Decemeber 2025
A lawyer, previously employed at a law firm — is accused of extracting confidential data from that firm with the intention of using it to set up a rival firm. The lawyer tried to strengthen his defence by filing new pleadings, including a claim that a “side agreement” made the original employment agreement illegal. A court (or judge) rejected that attempt, finding the new defence insufficient or flawed. As a result, the lawyer “failed to bolster” his defence.
ASIC questions KPMG over employees using AI to cheat on tests – 9 Decemeber 2025
ASIC is probing KPMG after allegations that some KPMG employees used AI tools to cheat on internal tests. The scrutiny comes amid broader revelations that auditors at KPMG were caught using AI to cheat on assessment tasks. The issue raises concerns about professional integrity and trustworthiness at a major audit firm — especially since audits play a critical role in financial reporting and oversight.
Shannon got an email saying she’d been convicted for multiple crimes in Mt Druitt. She says she’s never even been there – 9 Decemeber 2025
The article describes the case of Shannon Smith, a 28 year-old UK-born social worker candidate for a permanent skilled visa, whose required police check via Australian Federal Police (AFP) came back listing multiple criminal convictions. The convictions include shoplifting, affray and failure to appear at court (in 2023 and 2025), and a drug possession offence reportedly in 2019. Smith says she never committed these offences and claims she was not even in the relevant jurisdiction at the time, and in some cases was not in Australia at all.
Ombud strikes another blow in unlawful welfare cancellation saga – 9 Decemeber 2025
The Ombudsman, Iain Anderson has again strongly criticised the agencies administering the TCF (Targeted Compliance Framework), including Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and Services Australia. The investigation into the TCF began in February 2025, after concerns that a large number of income-support payments for job-seekers had been cancelled unlawfully or unfairly. To date, the Ombudsman’s reviews have resulted in 604 repayments to people whose payments were wrongly cancelled.
https://www.themandarin.com.au/304651-targeted-compliance-framework-ombud-report-2/
Panda Mart banned from trading for 72 hours after hundreds of illegal items found on shelves – 10 Decemeber 2025
An urgent court order has banned budget retailer Panda Mart from operating in Victoria after hundreds of illegal items were discovered on the shelves. A number of concerning items have been found at the Cranbourne and Preston stores, including candles with flammable content next to the wick, toys with unsecured button batteries, items with choking hazards and flotation devices without adequate warnings.
The discount shop, which first opened in Melbourne earlier this year, will remain closed for 72 hours from 9am today while a full compliance inspection takes place.
Penalties push for financial abusers who draw partners into tax and company fraud – 10 Decemeber 2025
The article describes the case of “Louise” (a pseudonym), a woman who found herself facing a large tax and company debt liability after her former partner registered her as a company director — without her knowledge or consent. As a result, she ended up with a “director penalty notice” from Australian Taxation Office (ATO) demanding payment of tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid tax, GST and PAYG withholding — debts she says she had no idea about and did not incur. According to recent research, economic abuse affects more than 2.4 million Australians and costs the economy roughly A$11 billion annually.
Reprimand for solicitor over attempts to émbarras, frustrate’ – 10 Decemeber 2025
A solicitor in Sydney was publicly reprimanded and fined after sending a letter that was judged to have been designed to “embarrass or frustrate” the recipient. The regulator found the conduct unacceptable under the professional conduct rules — i.e. it went beyond legitimate advocacy.
Services Australia data breaches almost double in two years – 11 Decemeber 2025
Services Australia (SA), the Australian government agency responsible for key welfare, Medicare, and social-services systems, is planning to expand its powers to deal with data breaches. The move comes as reported data breaches involving SA have nearly doubled over recent years.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9131194/services-australia-to-boost-data-breach-authority/
Murray River water thieves hit with $558,000 fine – 11 Decemeber 2025
Between 2016 and 2019, Jindalee Road Wines and David Littore illegally tapped into an irrigation pipeline (serviced by Western Murray Irrigation — WMI), bypassing water meters and diverting water to irrigate vineyards. On appeal (December 2025), the penalty was reduced to a combined $558,000: $345,000 for the company and $213,000 for Littore
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/david-littore-jindalee-road-wines-water-theft/106124764
Meta ran ads for bond scheme run by GIM Trading that allegedly defrauded millions from investors – 11 Decemeber 2025
Tech giant Meta ran advertisements for an Australian company now under investigation for fraud.
Meta confirmed it ran the GIM Trading ads but rejected claims it was not doing enough to stop scams on its platforms. ASIC continues to investigate GIM Trading but no criminal or civil charges have been laid.
