12 stories this week:
It started with an Alibaba order. It could end with two brothers being deported – 4 August 2023
Two brothers from Pakistan could face jail time and deportation for their role in a scam that involved 2.4 million fake Australian postage stamps. The County Court heard how federal police raided the brothers’ Brunswick East apartment complex in March 2021, finding 35 boxes filled with counterfeit postage stamps. Police determined the number of seized stamps was approximately 2.4 million Australian stamps of various denominations with a face value of approximately $6 million.
Whistleblowers claim consulting giant KPMG rorted government to the tune of $1.8 billion over last decade – 7 August 2023
Whistleblowers working for a major consulting firm and the Department of Defence have lifted the lid on an alleged $1.8 billion scandal. Two workers, one from KPMG and the other from the Department of Defence, have accused KPMG of ripping off the government by submitting exorbitant invoices and billing for hours not worked while contracted. The company has also been accused of proposing new work already covered by existing contracts, sucking up public funds, and overcharging Defence through alleged financial errors.
Former US president Donald Trump seeks new judge in election fraud case – 7 August 2023
Former US president Donald Trump will seek a new judge in his election fraud case. Prosecutors filed a protective order prohibiting Mr Trump from sharing any legal materials with unauthorised people. Mr Trump’s lawyer said the actions at the centre of the allegations against the former president were requests, not directives.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-07/donald-trump-seek-new-judge/102696236
Queensland whistleblower laws need new act: review – 8 August 2023
A review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010, led by retired Supreme Court judge Alan Wilson KC revealed that a higher disclosure threshold should be enacted to target conduct involving corruption, serious maladministration, serious misuse of public resources and serious danger to the environment or public health and safety. The report also stated that the public sector should not be burdened by public interest disclosures which are solely personal workplace grievances, ideological in nature, or trivial.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland-whistleblower-laws-act-review-093935680.html
New digital ID methods could help stem scam losses – 8 August 2023
Industry bodies are hoping the introduction of new digital identification methods will stem the amount of money lost to scams and payment fraud and limit the impact of widespread data breaches. It says once digital identification is created with a provider, it can be re-used across connected services without the need to repeatedly provide identity information to those services.
Melbourne identity theft victims speak out after losing $370,000 to fraudsters – 9 August 2023
The article describes how John and Julie were victim of fraudsters who had ported John’s mobile phone and accessed email accounts, messaged friends, family, and work clients in an effort to pull others into their web. The fraudsters had drained their bank accounts by at least $325,000, sold $45,000 worth of their shares, and created 20 credit and debit accounts in their names. John and Julie say they have lost trust in their banks and their telco, and live in a constant state of fear.
Investigation finds VicForests hired a private investigator to spy on environmental campaigners – 10 August 2023
An investigation has found Victoria’s state-owned logging agency has conducted “unlawful” surveillance of private citizens by hiring a private investigator to spy on them. The investigation found that sometime in 2010 and 2011, the private investigator conducted surveillance, collected personal information and took photos and video after being hired by the previous general manager of VicForests. VicForests has now been told to publish a new surveillance policy by the end of September 2023.
Melissa Caddick investors receive first payout three years after alleged fraudster vanished – 10 August 2023
Investors who lost between $20 and $30 million in Melissa Caddick’s alleged Ponzi scheme have received their first payout, three years after the scandal came to light. The money comes from the sale of her Dover Heights property, which sold for $9.8 million in January, and her share portfolios.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-10/melissa-caddick-investors-receive-first-payment/102714524
Australian companies hit every seven minutes by a cyber attack – 10 August 2023
A new report by CrowdStrike found the top five most targeted industries over the 12 months to June were technology, telco, retail, financial services, and manufacturing. One potential intrusion was uncovered every 7 minutes over the year, many directed at consumer focused industries – where vulnerable account data, credit card details and other personal information is stored. Businesses need to have an equal or superior reaction, making sure they have the right visibility and no security gaps.
‘Gatekeepers’ to the board: regulators’ changing expectations of general counsel – 10 August 2023
General counsel have never been under such intense scrutiny. Regulators including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) are zeroing in on officers like general counsel, whom ASIC regard as ‘gatekeepers’, and seeking to hold them responsible for ensuring the prevention of corporate misconduct. Article explains the regulators’ expectations of general counsel in managing and highlighting risk and how these dynamics impact the role and the potential liability of general counsel.
Tasmanian greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock under council investigation over kennel licence – 10 August 2023
Mr Bullock had his Grey hound licence suspended last week while the Office of Racing Integrity investigates conditions at his property in the state’s north, after graphic footage taken at the Exeter property was released by an animal rights group. He is now also under investigation by the West Tamar Council.
ANZ Boosts Scam Fight with Mule Account Detection – 10 August 2023
ANZ has announced it is investing in a new security capability designed to detect mule accounts being used to receive funds from scam victims and other criminal activities. Utilising AI and machine learning, the mule detection capability recognises money mules and mule accounts and is an extension of the bank’s behavioural biometric technologies. The detection of mule accounts often leads to the dismantling of additional scam networks and prevents future scams.
https://www.miragenews.com/anz-boosts-scam-fight-with-mule-account-1063000/
