12 stories this week:
With fake photographs of fully-furnished homes, scammers target renters who are desperate to secure housing – 30 July 2022
There has been an increase in real estate scams reported to the ACCC. One family relocating to Adelaide recently lost $3,200 to a scam. The advertised, ‘fully furnished home’ was actually a building site.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-30/sa-rental-scam/101285338
Murrumbidgee Mill project caught up in fraud case involving former company directors – 31 July 2022
BCEG International (Australia) Pty Ltd, a company linked to Wagga’s multimillion-dollar Murrumbidgee Mill development, has sued its former directors over the fraudulent transfer of cash to a personal project via false invoices and sham sub-contracts.
Australian police charge man with developing spyware used by more than 14,500 people – 1 August 2022
An Australian man, faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly creating and distributing spyware, that became the subject of a global law enforcement operation. He is accused of creating the Imminent Monitor remote access Trojan (RAT), which was sold to more than 14,500 individuals across 128 countries.
‘I’m a 29-year-old private investigator. Here’s what my life looks like – 1 August 2022
Sydney private investigator Amy Elliott reveal why some Aussies disappear without a trace:
This article is about Amy Elliot, a NSW Private investigator who provides some great examples of the trials and tribulations and the benefits of being a female PI.
Second article outlines why people disappear and how to find them.
https://www.mamamia.com.au/woman-private-investigator/
Victoria Police given power to seize cryptocurrency wallets under new organised crime laws – 2 August 2022
New laws are being introduced into parliament under the Major Crime and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. They changes are designed to give police greater ability to investigate organised crime, seize proceeds of crime and disrupt organised crime on the black market.
Corporations’ use of facial recognition technology paused after CHOICE investigation – 2 August 2022
An investigation by consumer advocacy group ‘Choice’, found that Kmart and Bunnings were using FRT (Facial Recognition Technology) to ostensibly protect customers and staff while reducing theft in select stores. Choice also found that the chain, The Good Guys uses technology that stores the unique biometric information of its customers. All three giants are now pausing FRT use until the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) provides guidance.
‘Sophisticated’ money launderer granted bail after police seize more than $10 million in goods – 2 August 2022
Australia’s Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) has confiscated more than AUD$10M in assets as part of a major international money laundering probe across the ACT. Officers seized more than eight properties, four high-end vehicles, luxury goods, cash and crypto as part of the raid. A 35-year-old man has been charged.
SEC Says 11 People Fooled Users Out of $AU425 Million in Crypto Pyramid Scheme – 2 August 2022
The Securities and Exchange commission has alleged that 11 people that had helped found and operate the company Forsage were actually operating a crypto pyramid or ponzi scheme, raking in over $AU426 million from worldwide investors. The SEC said the promoters were engaged in the unregistered offer and sale of securities in Forsage and and are now facing civil penalties.
The alleged fraud in Alzheimer’s research and what it means for patients – 2 August 2022
There have been recent allegations that research underpinning widely held understandings of what causes Alzheimer’s may be fraudulent. A potential fabrication of research images and the allegations, now question whether the governing bodies of research and drug approvals are truly effective.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-02/allegations-of-scientific-fraud-alzheimers-research/101289780
Aussies have been scammed out of more than $20 million in fake bond investment schemes this year – 3 August 2022
The number of Australians scammed by fake bond investment schemes almost tripled in the first half of this year, with losses topping $20 million. The “alarming” spike comes amid rising interest rates, as consumers considering investing in bonds are exposed to the sophisticated frauds.
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/aussies-scammed-fake-bond-investment-schemes/
Four men charged in relation to roofing scam which collected more than $640,000 from Melbourne residents – 3 August 2022
Victoria Police have arrested and charged four people, who are accused of posing as workers from a legitimate roofing company and then collecting more than $640,000, after telling home owners their roofs needed urgent repairs.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-03/melbourne-roofing-scam-arrests/101298398
Fraudster lands in jail after stealing identity to escape South Australian authorities – 5 August 2022
Travis Whyte stole the identity of a man in South Australia and $25,000 that belonged to him. He was attempting to escape authorities and flee to the Northern Territory. He pleaded guilty to eight offences, including five charges of obtaining benefit by deception.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-04/nt-best-fraud-of-his-life/101299980
