12 stories this week:
Australia’s carbon credit scheme ‘largely a sham’, says whistleblower who tried to rein it in – 22 March 2022
Professor Andrew Macintosh who is an environmental law and policy expert at The Australian National University (ANU) says the system, which gives credits for projects such as regrowing native forests after clearing, is ‘a fraud’ on the environment, taxpayers and consumers. The allegations have been referred to the Commonwealth Auditor General for investigation.
Six charged over alleged cannabis cultivation and COVID-19 rental relief payment fraud – 24 March 2022
Detectives have charged six people – including three Real Estate Agents – following an investigation into the alleged use of rental properties for the cultivation of cannabis, and fraudulent acquisition of COVID-19 rental relief payments.
How technology is solving crimes – 24 March 2022
Thanks to advances in technology, solving crimes has come a long way. Advances range from sophisticated finger mark detection methods, to rapid in-field testing, for example, a portable forensics lab (‘lab-on-a-chip’), forensic genetic genealogy, and use of artificial intelligence in different aspects of the forensic work.
https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2022/how-technology-is-solving-crimes.html
Over 2m Aussies fall victim to scams and fraud – 24 March 2022
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimated 55 per cent of Aussies, or about 11.1 million people, had encountered a scam during the 2020-21 financial year, most commonly over the phone (38.3 per cent), via email (32.2 per cent), text message (23.4 per cent) or online (20.2 per cent).
https://www.nestegg.com.au/save-money/scams/over-2m-aussies-fall-victim-to-scams-and-fraud
The growing data privacy debate: is AI being used to undermine your privacy? – 24 March 2022
With data breaches on the rise, data privacy has become a key concern for many Australians, who are sceptical of the activities of businesses that collect, handle and share revealing information about their activities, interests and preferences. Without adequate AI regulation and data privacy laws and guidance, businesses are having to fill in the gaps.
Four-word Facebook messenger scam to ignore – 25 March 2022
Facebook Messenger users have been told to ignore four-letter messages from friends such as “Is this you in this video?” or “look what I found”. Clicking on these could lead to disastrous financial consequences or stolen personal information.
Whistleblower says Microsoft spent millions on bribes abroad (yahoo.com) – 26 March 2022
Former Microsoft manager Yasser Elabd, alleged that Microsoft fired him after he alerted leadership to a workplace where employees, subcontractors and government operators regularly engaged in bribery. He also claims that attempts to escalate his concerns, resulted in retaliation within Microsoft by managers, and eventual termination from his role.
Cryptocurrency scammers turn to deep fakes to snare victims – 27 March 2022
Cybersecurity and consumer experts say cryptocurrency scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated with scammers creating deep fakes of ordinary people. He said these deep fakes ?- which use artificial intelligence and machine learning to create fake videos and images ?- were more convincing when they centred on regular people.
Police close in on person who helped Papas leave the country – 27 March 2022
NSW Police are zeroing in on the person who supported alleged fraudster Bill Papas to leave the country in June 2021, as it continues its investigations into the Westpac and Forum Finance saga.
New ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb vows to target price gougers, plays down Murdoch family links – 28 March 2022
ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has vowed to target petrol and food retailers who exploit anxiety from recent flood disasters, the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine to gouge prices.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-28/accc-chair-gina-cass-gottlieb/100943878
Fake SMSF scammers pounce during COVID-19 – 29 March 2022
The Australian Taxation Office has said it is witnessing an increase in Self Managed Superannuation identity fraud, where crooks use tax professionals to register phony funds to win massive windfalls.
(Access to AFR required to access article..)
Manager tells inquiry of Star casino’s ‘concerning’ lies to Chinese bank – 30 March 2022
A Star casino manager has told a public inquiry about “serious” and “repeated” misrepresentations the company made to the Bank of China concerning the source of millions of dollars. Gambling is illegal in China and local banks often block transfers to foreign casinos. The inquiry, being run by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), heard about a subsidiary company set up by Star, called EEI Services Hong Kong, to assist Chinese customers in accessing money for gaming in Australia.
