15 stories this week:
Been bombarded by spam texts and ghost phone calls? You’re not alone – 22 August 2021
Garbled text messages and ghost calls are targeting mobile phones and delivering malware designed to steal passwords and data. The ‘Flubot’ scam which prompts users to download an app which installs malware that could access personal data and banking details is really dangerous, with targets loosing thousands of dollars. The ACCC estimates Australians lost more than $850million to scammers last year.
(Access to digital version of SMH required to read article.)
How a now-defunct site on the dark web led police to the biggest cryptocurrency seizure in Australia – 20 August 2021
Data from the 2013 investigation of Silk Rd (Online black market hosted on the dark web and used predominantly to buy and sell illegal drugs) was shared with police across the world, and authorities have continued to make arrests related to the now-defunct site. New information from the FBI, has led to the largest ever cryptocurrency seizure by law enforcement in Australia. A record $8.49 million in cryptocurrency, understood to be Bitcoin, was seized during raids carried out at properties across metro and regional Victoria, part of an estimated $13.1 million worth of assets restrained by police.
Home Affairs worker unlawfully obtained almost $10,000 through visa scheme – 20 August 2021
A corruption investigation has found that a former visa processing officer who was an employee of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, used their role to receive ‘substantial’ sums of money and engaged in ‘dishonest and deceitful’ conduct.
‘A lot of people are sleepwalking into it’: the expert raising concerns over AI – 20 August 2021
Kate Crawford, one of the world’s pre-eminent scholars on the social and political implications of artificial intelligence, explains the risk and threats to human rights of facial recognition technology, biometric technology and surveillance.
Stripped bishop a ‘failed property tycoon,’ says flock – 21 August 2021
Bishop Daniel, the head of the NSW Coptic Orthodox Church, is the subject of a police investigation following allegations of serious fraud within the church. calculated to exceed $35 million. They relate, in part, to the buying and selling of property owned by the Coptic Church. and appointing himself as the sole trustee of the church’s property trust.
Locked-down Australians warned of COVID-19 disaster payment scams – 23 August 2021
The Australian government has warned of scams targeting people relying on COVID-19 disaster payments. Some of the reported scams involved criminals purporting to be from the government and asking for a victim’s financial details.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2021-08/23/c_1310142908.htm
ClubsNSW tells court it’s facing ‘oppressive’ campaign from pokies whistleblower Troy Stolz – 23 August 2021
ClubsNSW is seeking a federal court order to stop Stolz making public statements, to media outlets, about its motives or conduct while it sues him for allegedly breaching its confidence. Lawyers for the industry body tell judge that former employee Stolz is obstructing justice and would continue to do so ‘unless’ restrained.
Ex ABF officer ordered to repay stolen $94,000 – 24 August 2021
Former Australian Border Force (ABF) officer Pablo Olivares has been sentenced to more than two years’ imprisonment and ordered to repay $93,898.75 after pleading guilty to forgery and theft. The investigation, found Olivares made134 unauthorised corporate credit card cash withdrawals, hotel bookings and car rental bookings. He also used falsified medical certifications and statutory declarations.
Drysdale fraudsters’ case adjourned – 24 August 2021
A Drysdale couple are facing jail for an $80k fraud scheme. The court heard the pair worked to systematically defraud the company out of income from customers, creating false invoices and suggesting clients would get a better rate if they paid cash.
https://www.bay939.com.au/news/local-news/128748-drysdale-fraudsters-remanded-until-september
Australians duped by JB Hi-Fi, Myer and Woolworths gift card scams – 24 August 2021
Aussies are being warned about a new scam where payments are being demanded via retail gifts cards from Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi and Myer or cash paid to couriers, with one man losing $50,000.
Poly Network says it has recovered all $610 million it lost in cryptocurrency heist – 24 August 2021
Poly Network, a decentralized finance platform that saw a hacker named “Mr. White Hat” exploit a vulnerability in its code to steal $610 million in Ethereum, Shiba Inu and other cryptocurrencies, says it has recovered all the money it lost in the theft.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/poly-network-161726337.html
Fresh wave of concern for crypto scams as bitcoin’s value skyrockets – 24 August 2021
A new release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed that Australians have lost more than $70 million to investment scams this year so far, with projected losses set to reach $140 million by the end of the year. More than half of the $70 million in losses were to cryptocurrency, especially through bitcoin, and cryptocurrency scams were also the most commonly reported type of investment scam.
https://www.savings.com.au/news/prevalence-scams-bitcoin-takes-off
AFP issues warning about fake arrest warrant email scam – 25 August 2021
Hundreds of Australians have been contacted by scammers falsely identifying themselves as Federal Agents. The scammers often work by telling victims they have identified suspicious activity linked to their bank accounts, then request personal details including a Medicare number, address and bank details. They target people via email and social media with fake arrest warrants, then call their victims and demand payments – ordering them to deposit money into a nominated bank account or purchase online vouchers.
Woman jailed for Centrelink, Medicare scam – 25 August 2021
Tammy Theresa Power, a Queensland woman has admitted scamming the government to obtain more than $50,000 in social security and Medicare payments while on parole for similar fraud. Power made changes to the bank details of 68 people who were registered with Centrelink, redirecting their social security payments into accounts she controlled.
https://7news.com.au/news/crime/woman-jailed-for-centrelink-medicare-scam-c-3777467
Investment scams in Australia: What is the true cost? – 25 August 2021
Investment scams reported to the ACCC-run Scamwatch have cost Australians over $70 million in the first half of 2021, and projected losses are set to reach $140 million by the end of the year. The article highlights some of the main investment scams impacting Australians, and warning signs to look out for.
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=80ad7954-f74b-4627-91c4-b7fcc0d3e34d
