12 stories this week:
Aussie father reveals how scammers outsmarted him and his bank – 16 November 2022
New South Wales Police believe scammers are getting smarter and consumers need to be wary. An Aussie father had $27,380 taken out of his account. The scammers not only outsmarted him, but also his bank.
Origin issues warning for 4.2 million customers – 16 November 2022
Origin is warning customers about a new SMS scam that tries to steal their payment details. The scam text message tells customers they have an unpaid account and directs them to a fake Origin website. From here, the customer is asked to enter their Origin details and payment information.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/origin-issues-warning-for-42-million-customers-020022895.html
ClubsNSW litigation against dying whistleblower an ‘abuse of process’, lawyers say – 16 November 2022
Whistleblower Troy Stolz will ask the Federal Court that contempt proceedings brought against him by ClubsNSW to be permanently stayed. ClubsNSW said an interview he gave to YouTuber Friendlyjordies breached a court order. Stolz’s lawyers are expected to argue that material has come to light showing ClubsNSW is bringing its contempt action to intimidate him.
Elizabeth Holmes sentenced to 11 years in prison on fraud charges – 19 November 2022
Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO and founder of Theranos, has been sentenced to just over 11 years in prison for defrauding the investors of her blood testing startup. The sentence comes almost a year after Holmes was found guilty on four counts of fraud following a months-long trial.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-fraud-sentence-221816950.html
Bunnings, Kmart issue urgent warning over new scam – 19 November 2022
Australian job seekers are being warned about a new employment scam circulating on social media, offering jobs at Bunnings and Kmart. The fake Bunnings job ads use the retailer’s official logo and lure unsuspecting job seekers with an hourly rate ranging from $48 to $75 to gain peoples personal details.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/bunnings-kmart-issue-urgent-warning-over-new-scam-015246675.html
Christian Dior has held Caddick funds for years, whistleblower tells authorities – 19 November 2022
A whistleblower from Christian Dior has alerted authorities to hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen by missing fraudster Melissa Caddick, that have been held for the past two years at the fashion house’s Sydney office.
Access to digital version of SMH required
How fraudsters used Porsche IPO to target Australians – 20 November 2022
Article outline details about the claims of Fraudulent Porsche IPO offerings and BN Capital, pretending to be a financial services entity. The fraud includes highly professional websites, investment documents and correspondence and claims the banks are not doing enough to protect customers.
Coal exporters accused of falsifying data to prove coal is cleaner, boost profits – 21 November 2022
Leaked details provided by a whistlwhistleblower, claim Australian coal exporters are falsifying data to show their coal is cleaner. MP Andrew Wilkie said “the alleged scam has allowed companies to claim for years that Australian coal was cleaner than it was in reality in order to boost profits and to prevent rejection of shipments at their destinations”.
High-flying first Chinese executive at PwC Australia is accused of $3.3million fraud to buy a Porsche and pay for renovations to the six bedroom mansion she shares with her husband – 22 November 2022
Shao Hong, a high-flying audit assurance partner at PwC Australia and her husband Di Wu are accused of stealing $3.3million from Creative Promotions, a family-owned business. It is alleged they stole millions from them between 2010 and 2022 by ‘digitally altering’ genuine invoices and creating other fake invoices. They allegedly spent the money building dream home in Sydney’s north shore. The Couple’s assets have been frozen as they face legal action to recover cash.
Reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley sentenced to combined 19 years in prison for bank fraud, tax evasion – 22 November 2022
Reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley received sentences for their convictions on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. In June, the couple were convicted of having inflated their net worth in order to secure more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. They were also found to have dodged their taxes since as early as 2009 and to have hidden their earnings.
HashFlare’s Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin charged over four-year cryptocurrency pyramid scheme – 22 November 2022
Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin are charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. It is alleged that they operated a pyramid scheme and bought luxury cars and real estate with the fraudulent $870 million.
How and why Australian whistleblowing laws need an overhaul: new report – 23 November 2022
Recent developments in Australian whistleblowing cases and the parliamentary debate over Australia’s new National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), have shown how critical it is to get our whistleblower protection laws back up to world standards. A new research report, published by Griffith University, the Human Rights Law Centre and Transparency International Australia, seeks to present a clear roadmap for getting these reforms right.
