15 stories this week:
Adelaide builder Joseph Biju Kavilpurayidathil jailed for fraud against homebuying migrants – 2 March 2023
Joseph Biju Kavilpurayidathil, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of dishonest dealings with documents for making fraudulent invoices and insurance certificates for some of the homes built through his company, Fenbreeze Homes, which has since gone into liquidation.
Police Whistleblower Pens 4-Page Letter Exposing SAPOL’s Highly Toxic, Dysfunctional Culture – 4 March 2023
A senior police officer, with over 35 years’ experience in the force, has written a scathing 4-page letter highlighting the worsening situation at the already dysfunctional SAPOL. The letter lists numerous impacts of the scheme, introduced by commissioner Grant Stevens and states that “SAPOL is now an organisation (business) bogged down in needless red tape and paperwork and it is only going to get worse”
Museum contractor arrested over alleged $90,000 fraud – 4 March 2023
A man has faced court for allegedly stealing $90,000 from the Australian National Maritime Museum, other businesses and individuals. It’s claimed the Macquarie Park man accessed the museum’s accounts payable system through his work as a contracted IT support worker to a third-party provider. He also allegedly made a series of unauthorised credit card purchases, after stealing financial information regarding several other businesses and individuals.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/museum-contractor-arrested-over-alleged-90000-fraud-c-9935827
Scam protection from banks under scrutiny as Australians lose $53m in two months – 6 March 2023
Sharon Watkin was scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars by a sales representative claiming to be from Amazon. She says Australian banks need to do more to protect customers. Australians have already lost $53m this year, according to Scamwatch.
ASIC Bans Insurance Broker Permanently – 6 March 2023
ASIC has permanently banned former insurance broker Justin Edward Hampshire, from providing any financial services and being involved in carrying on such a business. ASIC found that Mr Hampshire incorrectly directed his clients to pay their insurance premiums into a business account he controlled when the money should have been paid straight into Ausure’s trust account. Mr Hampshire misappropriated $41,000 of four of his clients’ insurance premiums for his own benefit.
https://www.miragenews.com/asic-bans-insurance-broker-permanently-960242/
Son of former ATO deputy commissioner found guilty over role in $105m tax fraud – 7 March 2023
Adam Cranston, the son of former ATO deputy commissioner Michael Cranston, has been found guilty by a NSW Supreme Court jury over his role in a $105 million tax-fraud scheme. Adam and two co-accused were found guilty of conspiring with another person to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth, and conspiring with another person to deal with money more than $1 million, believing it to be proceeds of crime.
Perth Mint chief executive admits ‘doping’ controversy hurts reputation as WA opposition calls for royal commission – 7 March 2023
An investigation by the ABC’s Four Corners revealed the Mint had supplied gold to China between 2018 and 2021 that met broader industry purity standards, but in at least one instance, fell below Shanghai’s stricter standards. Internal reports allege the Mint then withheld evidence about the practice from its largest client, which an insider described as “a scandal of the highest level”.
Queensland whistleblower ‘vindicated’ by former Logan mayor Luke Smith’s guilty pleas – 8 March 2023
Sharon Kelsey, a whistleblower who was fired after reporting the misconduct of a former Queensland mayor, Luke Smith says his guilty plea on a corruption-related charge is a “complete vindication”. Smith pleaded guilty to receiving a ‘secret commission from an agent’ in 2016.
Review your whistle blower program now to meet ASICs new good practice guidance – 10 March 2023
Article describes current whistleblower laws and ASIC’s actions to date and where the good practices for whistleblowing programs came from. It also details ASIC announcement that it was taking legal action against TerraCom Limited, its managing director, chief commercial officer, former Chair and a former director, for the first time under these laws.
Charities watchdog to review fraud allegations made in parliament against Hillsong – 10 March 2023
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, has used parliamentary privilege, to accuse Hillsong church of breaking financial laws in Australia and around the world, relating to “fraud, money laundering and tax evasion”. Hillsong disputed the allegations, labelling them as “out-of-context” or false. The Charities and Not-for-profits Commission stated it would investigate the allegations. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-10/federal-mp-accuses-hillsong-money-laundering-tax-evasion/102077080
Facebook Marketplace scams to be aware of when buying or selling goods online – 10 March 2023
A cybersecurity expert says Facebook is not doing enough to stamp out scammers on marketplace. Fake account owners insist on paying with PayID, which used a person’s mobile number or email address to link to their bank account. Scammers then try to convince people that they had transferred too much money, and request they transfer the difference back.
Financial services a key focus for ACCC this year – 10 March 2023
ACC plans the introduction of new laws prohibiting unfair contract terms, including a new penalty regime later this year. ACCC also has its eyes on scams, which continued to cause tremendous personal and financial damage to consumers and the Australian economy.
Psychoanalysts Put White-Collar Criminals on the Couch – 13 March 2023
White-collar crimes are nonviolent, opportunistic criminal activities by people of high respectability and status in their jobs. Article explains how leaders can proactively mitigate and defend against malfeasance by understanding the drivers of white-collar crime.
Police Charge Two Over $594K Theft, Fraud From Retail Store – 15 March 2023
Financial Crime Squad detectives have laid 159 charges against two former employees of a retail store following an investigation into alleged fraud and stealing offences. Police will allege in court that the man and woman obtained more than $594,000 from their employer.
https://www.miragenews.com/police-charge-two-over-594k-theft-fraud-from-966459/
Chinese businessman with ties to Trump administration figures arrested in $US1 billion fraud conspiracy – 16 March 2023
Guo Wengui, a business tycoon long sought by the government of China and known for cultivating ties to Trump administration figures including Steve Bannon has been arrested in New York on charges that he oversaw a $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) fraud conspiracy. He faces more than a century in jail if convicted.
Final conspirator found guilty of $105m Plutus tax fraud – 21 March 2023
A jury in the NSW Supreme Court found Patrick Willmott, 36, guilty of conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth and dealing with more than $1 million in proceeds of crime. The conspiracy defrauded the tax office of more than $105 million from 2014 to 2017 through a free payroll service known as Plutus Payroll that shifted tax money using a complex network of second-tier companies. Patrick Willmott is the fifth person to be jailed for the fraud.
