‘Bogus’: Thousands of job ad scams and $24.4 million in losses prompts Aussie warning – 11 December 2024
In the first three months of the job scam fusion cell launched in September, the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) has taken down 200 job scam websites. Another 200 phone numbers were flagged, as law enforcement, government agencies, and cryptocurrency platforms work with NASC to freeze or restrict cryptocurrency wallets being used in job scams. Now, Aussies have been given a fresh warning — and informed about the links between these types of scams, and social media.
Ex-credit union head Lyndon Allen Kingston jailed for financial crimes – 12 December 2024
Former credit union chief executive and banking watchdog senior manager, Lyndon Allen Kingston has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for financial crimes committed six years ago. A jury found him guilty of unlawfully pocketing payments from two credit union contractors, without knowledge of the board. The court ordered Kingston be released from prison after six months, pending good behaviour for the remaining 12 months of his sentence.
Queensland company AGAT Business put into voluntary liquidation amid ASIC investigation – 13 December 2024
A Queensland call centre, currently under investigation by ASIC, has been put into voluntary liquidation. Customers had alleged AGAT sales representatives phoned them offering to check their current super arrangements for free, before referring them to financial advisers. Some of those financial advisers then recommended customers move their super to a troubled investment scheme called the Shield Master Fund.
Trio of serving ADF soldiers arrested on multiple charges after police investigation intercepted mail containing cash – 13 December 2024
Three serving Australian soldiers have been arrested over their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking syndicate. As part of the investigation, officers intercepted mail and seized cash. QPS alleges the money was intended to buy drugs that would then be resold for profit.
Aussie bank apps targeted by global cyber robbery – 14 December 2024
Cyber criminals have posed as recruiters offering unsuspecting Australians bogus lucrative jobs as part of a global theft of online banking details and other sensitive data.
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Government confirms IBAC investigation into allegations of fraud at Melbourne hospitals – 15 December 2024
The government has confirmed Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog is investigating allegations of fraud conducted by Melbourne surgeons. The Age reports surgeons have billed the Transport Accident Commission for medical procedures that were never carried out on patients. The health minister has welcomed the investigation, while the opposition has called on IBAC to release its findings.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-15/ibac-surgery-tac-fraud-investigation/104727502
Ladbrokes owner took $152m from customers with ‘suspected criminal associations’, court documents claim – 16 December 2024
The Australian arm of Entain is part of one of the world’s largest sports gambling organisations. It is alleged that they accepted $152m in bets from 17 high-risk customers who had “suspected criminal profiles and associations” despite being aware they may have been laundering money.
Nigeria investigates nearly 800 suspects arrested in massive cybercrime raid – 17 December 2024
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, says it is investigating nearly 800 suspects arrested for alleged internet fraud during a massive raid in Lagos. The 792 suspects, including 193 foreigners, were nabbed December 10 in a seven-story building believed to be a “hustle kingdom” – a place where people are trained to carry out cybercrimes.
ACCC takes Optus to court over alleged unconscionable conduct at Mount Isa store – 19 December 2024
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing Optus over alleged unconscionable conduct. A statement of claim alleges its Mount Isa store preyed on vulnerable consumers, accumulating debt in excess of $150,000 for 42 individuals.
SA Health finds 18 staff have inappropriately accessed Charlie Stevens’ medical records – 20 December 2024
18 staff have been found to have inappropriately accessed the medical records of a patient. ABC News revealed in July that SA Health was investigating the alleged breach of a patient’s medical records, understood to be Charlie Stevens’, who died in November 2023 after a hit and run at Schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor. An SA Health spokesperson says an additional employee is still under investigation.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/sa-health-charlie-stevens-investigation/104576828
The lucrative scam business behind a non-existent Centrelink payment – 20 December 2024
Dodgy news websites might seem harmless, but they can have be a starting point for scammers to lure victims and obtain personal details. “Click farms” are scam sites, used to get numerous visits so the creators can make money from displaying advertisements on it. The creators use search engine optimisation (SEO) tactics to make sure their site is among the first websites displayed when people Google something. The article explains.
