Spanish police uncover Banksy fakes workshop, four arrested in alleged syndicate – 6 March 2024
Four people have been arrested in Spain accused of running a syndicate selling counterfeit Banksy artworks. The ring is suspected to have sold at least 25 works around the world at prices up to 1,500 euros ($2,480) a piece. Police are continuing to investigate and have not ruled out further arrests.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-08/spanish-police-smash-banksy-fakes-syndicate/103564140
INTERPOL Financial Fraud assessment: A global threat boosted by technology – 11 March 2024
A new INTERPOL assessment on global financial fraud highlights how the increased use of technology is enabling organised crime groups to better target victims around the world. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), large language models and cryptocurrencies combined with phishing- and ransomware-as-a-service business models have resulted in more sophisticated and professional fraud campaigns without the need for advanced technical skills, and at relatively little cost. Analysis behind the INTERPOL Global Financial Fraud Assessment also points to the global expansion of human trafficking for the purpose of forced criminality in call centres, particularly to carry out ‘pig-butchering’ scams – a hybrid scheme combining romance and investment frauds, using cryptocurrencies.
How to protect your personal data from China’s mass surveillance regime, according to top cyber experts – 12 March 2024
Top Canberra insiders and cybersecurity specialists reveal how China is weaponising artificial intelligence and social media like TikTok to undermine Australian democracy. “We are facing an authoritarian regime that can reach right into our bedrooms, into our kids’ room, into our lounge room, and we don’t know how to handle that,” intelligence expert Professor John Blaxland, whose research confirms that China has penetrated Western countries with a multitude of advanced AI-led surveillance and cyber espionage capabilities.
Toormina man sentenced in Coffs Harbour after financially scamming Sydney law firms – 12 March 2024
Toormina man Anthony Gerard Kent has been sentenced at Coffs Harbour Local Court after scamming more than $700,000 from Sydney law firms and charities. The court heard he was not the “mastermind” behind the operation, but used emails and fake bank accounts. He will serve a 15-month intensive corrections order in the community.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-12/law-firm-email-scammer-anthony-gerard-kent/103493452
Experts concerned over ASIC’s lack of phoenixing prosecutions – 12 March 2024
Experts say little has changed in illegal phoenixing since the $105 million Plutus tax fraud, as the building industry deals with a wave of claims about multi-million dollar tax-dodging schemes operating over decades. University of Sydney Business School Professor Clinton Free, found in a recently published analysis that despite the former Morrison government introducing laws to combat illegal phoenixing in 2020, the corporate watchdog had not yet used the new powers to bring criminal or civil prosecutions.
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‘Nobody gets a free pass’ Australian Government delegate tells Facebook at Global Fraud Summit – 13 March 2024
Federal assistant treasurer Stephen Jones called for social media giants to ‘do better’ when it comes to fraud and scams while attending the Global Fraud Summit. Member nations of the summit, including Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Korea, Singapore, New Zealand and the US, resoundingly backed Jones’s call for Facebook (NASDAQ:META) parent company Meta, in particular, to up its game in the fight against fraud and scams. The summit heard that some states had seen a threefold-plus increase in complaints to their attorneys-general in the last year from consumers who had social media accounts hacked.
New ACCC figures show sharp rise in older people being fleeced in social media scams – 13 March 2024
Australians lost a total of $477 million to scams last year, according to new ACCC figures. The Scamwatch report also showed year-on-year losses dropping by $92 million, especially for investment scams. The government has plans to introduce mandatory codes for banks, telcos and social media companies which it says will impose tough new standards.
Fatal Ballarat mine collapse under investigation – 14 March 2024
Victoria’s workplace safety regulator has launched an investigation into a mine collapse at Ballarat that killed one miner and badly injured another.
Former Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama found guilty of interfering in police investigation – 14 March 2024
A court has found former Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice. State prosecutors had appealed a decision by a lower court to acquit Bainimarama, after it found there was insufficient evidence to convict him of interfering in a police investigation. Bainimarama will face sentencing back in the magistrates court on March 28.
NT ICAC commissioner says investigations ‘thwarted’ by denial of access to cabinet documents, inadequate funding – 14 March 2024
The NT ICAC says on four occasions since July 2022, the NT government has refused to hand over cabinet documents that could assist its investigations. Commissioner Michael Riches has also raised concerns around his office’s budget and staffing levels, and government transparency. The concerns have been aired in a report tabled in NT Parliament this week, in which Mr Riches said his office currently had 15 active investigations.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-14/nt-icac-report-says-government-refusing-cabinet-document-access/103582196
NSW government doubles penalties for environmental crimes to ‘make polluters pay’ after asbestos-contaminated mulch fiasco – 14 March 2024
The NSW government has given stronger powers to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to penalise environmental fines. The move was spurred by a criminal investigation into 78 sites testing positive with asbestos-containing mulch, and include a $4 million penalty for related offences for companies.
Whistleblowers allege they were targeted by Queensland Health after exposing problems with tuberculosis patient care – 14 March 2024
The frontline unit established to combat tuberculosis (TB) in Queensland is alleged to have lost key medical files, employed systems that potentially compromised patient care and persecuted two of its most senior staff, forcing them to seek whistleblower status. The allegations emerged after two of the unit’s most senior medicos – infectious diseases expert Doctor Emma McBryde and the unit’s former head nurse – made complaints to the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission seeking protection as official whistleblowers.
Boeing death a stark reminder of the need for a Whistleblower Authority – 14 March 2024
The reported suicide of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett in Charleston, South Carolina (US), is a reminder of the need for reform in Australia. Following the PwC tax leaks scandal, the Government has introduced a Bill to extend whistleblower protections to cover disclosures made to the Tax Practitioner board. A comprehensive review of Australia’s tax and corporate whistleblower laws will commence in July. Proposals for strengthening whistleblower protections will include extending its breadth – who and what is covered, at what stage, and on what basis.
https://michaelwest.com.au/lendlease-whistleblower-calls-for-whistleblower-authority/
How AI-powered technologies can eventually eradicate retail crime – 14 March 2024
Retailers are hoping AI-powered surveillance and other technologies can eventually make theft a thing of the past.
Video surveillance systems, locked cases that can be operated by smartphones, and AI-powered heat maps are just a few of the anti-theft advancements on the market. The live heat map pulls in real-time data from a variety of sources, including retailers, law enforcement, and fire rescue agencies. The map aims to track and prevent theft – or, at a minimum, alert other retailers on the app if a crime occurs nearby.
Australia introduces Scam Safe Accord to combat AUD $3.1bn scam crisis – 14 March 2024
Australia’s efforts to combat an alarming tide of scams have culminated in the launch of the Scam Safe Accord, a consolidated and innovative response conceived by the country’s financial institutions. According to sources, Australians lost a staggering AUD $3.1 billion to scams in 2022 alone, marking a 253% surge over two years. The Scam Safe Accord, brought to fruition by the Australian Banking Association (ABA) and the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), aims to staunch this bleeding of resources and protect Australians from further financial exploitation.
