13 stories this week:
5 best VPN in Australia – 18 June 2021
A good article explaining Virtual Private Networks and how your network can be completely accessible to tracking and surveillance by your Internet Provider, as it is provided by them, and they ultimately host it. Article lists popular VPNS that are secure and can’t access your data.
https://bestinau.com.au/best-vpn-australia/
Bank took 8 years to report $1.4m fraud – 18 June 2021
George Vrettakos is only now facing justice after defrauding more than $1.4 million from CBA. The significant delay – caused by the Commonwealth Bank failure to report his fraud to police – may mean George Vrettakos escapes jail time.
https://www.riverineherald.com.au/national/2021/06/18/4463407/bank-took-8-years-to-report-14m-fraud
Ex-con and bankrupt advised Melissa Caddick on tax affairs – 19 June 2021
Missing fraudster Melissa Caddick, who misappropriated millions of dollars from her clients, used the services of a former bankrupt accountant (Cyril “John” Pearson) who had been banned for 10 years from managing a corporation as well as jailed for embezzling money from a superannuation fund.
(Access to digital version of SMH required to read article.)
Billionaire tax dodging exposed (just not in Australia, home of the opaque ultra rich) – 18 June 2021
For years there has been a push for greater transparency on the tax affairs of the rich who can use sophisticated tactics to minimise what they pay. This ‘push’ could potentially inadvertently reveal details of the tax affairs of an individual or entity, which would breach confidentiality laws
https://www.crikey.com.au/2021/06/18/billionaire-tax-dodging-australia/
Qld govt consults on media shield laws – 18 June 2021
Currently Queensland and Tasmania are the only states without specific media shield laws. In August, new QLD laws will mean Journalists will be protected from revealing confidential whistleblower sources. Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has released a discussion paper on these laws.
https://thewest.com.au/business/media/qld-govt-consults-on-media-shield-laws-c-3148013
Former Australian spy Witness K spared jail time over conspiracy charges relating to alleged spying on East Timor – 19 June 2021
The former Australian spy dubbed Witness K, has been given a three-month suspended sentence, for conspiring to reveal classified information about an alleged spying operation, during oil and gas treaty negotiations, between Australia and East Timor.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-18/act-witness-k-sentencing-hearing/100226438
We have filed a case under your name’: Beware of tax scams – they’ll be everywhere this EOFY – 19 June 2021
According to an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report, scams targeting Australians last year cost an estimated $851 million. Posing as the Australian Taxation Office in particular has been a key vehicle for scammers to target victims, with considerable success over the years.
Scammers sending out knock-off crypto wallets that could steal your coin – 19 June 2021
Scammers have begun sending out fake hardware wallets to Ledger customers in an attempt to steal the cryptocurrency from their Bitcoin wallets.
‘Deeply disturbing’ allegations threaten to bring Toshiba to its knees – 21 June 2021
For the last six years, scandals and economic missteps have plagued Toshiba. Recently an ‘Explosive’ report critical of Toshiba’s management claimed they “devised a plan to effectively prevent shareholders from exercising their … voting rights at the AGM” and they had persuaded Japan’s trade ministry to help keep the activists at bay by exerting “undue influence on some shareholders”.
Scammers target would-be tenants as housing crisis continues – 21 June 2021
Scammers are offering fake properties to convince people to hand over money or personal information. Australians lost more than $300,000 to rental and accommodation scams in the nine months to September last year – an increase of 76 per cent compared to the same time the previous year.
https://the-riotact.com/scammers-target-would-be-tenants-as-housing-crisis-continues/470622
Former Sony Music employees consider class action lawsuit – 23 June 2021
A dozen former employees of Sony Music Australia, have approached a law firm, to investigate launching a class action lawsuit against the global music empire, following an investigation into workplace culture at the company’s Australian offices.
AFP raids Nuix office amid criminal investigation by market regulator – 24 June 2021
The Australian Federal Police raided the offices of Macquarie-backed tech group Nuix as well as an apartment in Pyrmont on Thursday following the launch of a criminal investigation by the corporate regulator.
(Access to digital version of SMH required to read article.)
ClubsNSW demands pokies whistleblower stop crowdfunding for court case – 24 June 2021
Troy Stolz turned to GoFundMe to raise money for a court battle with former employer ClubsNSW, but lawyers have demanded he take down his page and return donations or face further court action.
