Sam Bankman-Fried’s ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison sentenced to two years’ jail over crypto fraud – 25 September 2024
Caroline Ellison has been sentenced to two years in jail for her involvement in her ex-boyfriend Sam Bankman-Fried’s theft of $US8 billion in customer funds. The tech executive ran Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency-focused hedge fund Bankman-Fried founded. Lawyers argued against jail time due to her “extraordinary” cooperation with prosecutors and role as star witness in Bankman-Fried’s case.
Services Australia data breaches surge as scammers try to hack customer accounts using stolen details – 29 September 2024
Services Australia has seen a massive surge in data breaches by scammers harvesting information from previous hacks and using it to access customer account., Services Australia had reported 49 data breaches as a result of social engineering – where people call an agency pretending to be someone in order to access information. The figure was more than 440% higher than the nine social engineering-related reports across the whole of 2023.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/29/services-australia-hacks-data-breach-scam
Journalist awarded for work on human trafficking in online scams arrested in Cambodia – 1 October 2024
Cambodian journalist Mech Dara, who has been awarded for his work investigating human trafficking in the online scam industry, has been arrested by the country’s military police. The police have refused to reveal why he was taken into custody with observers saying they believe the arrest was politically motivated. Dara’s family say they have not been informed of his whereabouts and fear for his safety.
Fraud allegations involving Tara bushfire and Cyclone Jasper disaster funding referred to police – 2 October 2024
Several staff have been terminated or suspended from a Queensland government department after fraud allegations. It’s believed the allegations relate to funding given after Cyclone Jasper and the Tara bushfires in 2023. Two cases of alleged fraud have been referred to police for investigation.
Fraudster Patricia Evans, who swindled elderly victims of savings and super, jailed over ‘web of deceit’ – 2 October 2024
Patricia Evans was sentenced in SA’s District Court after pleading guilty to two counts of theft and 19 counts of aggravated theft between May 2010 and August 2018. The sentencing judge said Evans had stolen up to $4.2 million from three victims — but said the charges before the court only related to a total of $272,463. Evans was sentenced to eight years and four months behind bars, with a non-parole period of five years.
Meta, Australian banks tout progress on taking down scam ads – 3 October 2024
Meta has taken down some 8000 so-called “celeb bait” scam ads from Facebook and Instagram as part of a new effort with Australian banks to curb the practice. The scams use images of famous people, often generated by artificial intelligence, to trick consumers into giving money to non-existent investment schemes.
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/meta-australian-banks-tout-progress-on-taking-down-scam-ads-612119
Vitrinite accused of clearing koala habitat and illegal coal mining in Queensland – 3 October 2024
A mining company has been accused of destroying koala habitat and illegally mining coal at a site in Queensland, without government approval. Vitrinite denies breaching the law and says the works are a “small testing operation”. The federal environment department is “making enquiries”, with the allegation, if proven, carrying a possible $825,000 fine.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/koala-habitat-cleared-without-federal-approval/104414272
Trump ‘resorted to crimes’ in scramble to overturn US election, unsealed court documents allege – 3 October 2024
New details of Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election have been revealed in a newly unsealed court filing. The 165-page document cites previously unknown accounts by the former president’s closest aides. It is uncertain whether the case will proceed to trial, particularly if Trump is elected president in November.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-03/trump-election-interference-filing-unsealed/104426280
Experts say scammers are getting a leg-up from the system that serves us personalised ads – 3 October 2024
The online ad industry may be providing scammers with the tools to target Australians more efficiently. A new report reveals how the sale of people’s consumer data could be fuelling common scams featuring fake road toll notices or texts purporting to be from AusPost. The federal government is in the process of updating the Privacy Act, but changes to data privacy rules have been deferred until a later, unspecified, date.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/scammers-using-system-for-ads-to-con-australians/104426750
Karen Salkilld faked her own death to claim $700k life insurance payout, Perth court hears – 4 October 2024
Karen Salkilld faked her own death, using her former partner’s identification, to successfully claim a $718,000 insurance payout. Her lawyer told the court the “crazy act” of faking her own death came from a movie she had once seen. Salkilld was told to expect an immediate jail term when sentenced later this month.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years in prison for 2020 presidential race voting data scheme – 4 October 2024
A former Colorado county clerk has been sentenced to nine years in jail for charges relating to a breach in her county’s voting system. Tina Peters became “fixated” on voting problems after becoming involved with those who had questioned the accuracy of the 2020 presidential election results. She was convicted of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failing to comply with the secretary of state.
NSW premier says commissioner will commit to reforming police culture after ‘harrowing’ allegations – 29 September 2024
NSW Premier Chris Minns has addressed “harrowing” allegations about the state police force following an ABC investigation.
Former and current NSW Police officers said they had experienced bullying, nepotism, sexism and a lack of mental health support. Mr Minns said NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was committed to reform, but did not commit to an independent inquiry.
