10 stories this week:
Martin Lewis warns over ‘disgraceful’ new deepfake scam advert – 7 July 2023
Consumer finance expert Martin Lewis has warned over a “disgraceful” deepfake scam advert for an investment app, which he said will lead vulnerable people to lose money and ruin lives. The advert, which reportedly circulated on Facebook, appears to show Mr Lewis endorsing an Elon Musk-backed investment scheme through a video at his home.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/martin-lewis-warns-over-disgraceful-134924577.html
Job seekers fleeced by work from home scam – 8 July 2023
People seeking jobs with flexible work conditions such as working from home, have fallen foul of an employment scam that has so far claimed 20 victims in Western Australia, who reported losing a total of $510,000. To secure the job, victims are deceived into investing a substantial amount of money in crypto currency with the false promise of high returns.
https://www.haveagonews.com.au/news/job-seekers-fleeced-by-work-from-home-scam/
Sisters Debra and Chanelle Viney plead not guilty to defrauding Queensland drought scheme – 10 July 2023
A trial of two cattle station owners has heard allegations $131,000 was fraudulently obtained from a Queensland government drought relief scheme. The court heard that the sisters tried to defraud the system by submitting false claims for costs. The trial continues.
AFL chair, a former state treasurer and other business high-flyers – 10 July 2023
A fraudulent scheme pretending to sell air conditioners to BHP and promising a “10 times” return to investors has led to jail time for Steven Phillip Heaton who swindled some of the biggest names in Australian business. He suggested the mining giant would eventually buy 1,800 of his energy-efficient air conditioners but only two incomplete test units were delivered.
Sydney accountant charged over alleged $26m fraud – 12 July 2023
Benjamin Leigh Carter an accountant, with alleged links to the organised crime world has been charged with defrauding clients of $26 million. Police will allege that Mr Carter defrauded at least eight clients to the value of $26 million in a bid to fund his lavish lifestyle and gambling habit.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-12/sydney-accountant-charged-fraud-clients/102591570
Robodebt victims considering civil action for compensation after royal commission findings – 12 July 2023
Australians targeted by the illegal robodebt income averaging scheme are considering their legal options a suggested there was evidence to support a further civil case. Robodebt is the informal name given to a debt recovery program which started in 2015 that falsely accused welfare recipients of owing money to the government. It automatically issued notices to people identified as having debts through a process of income averaging, unlawfully claiming almost $2 billion from 433,000 people.
How two ‘besties’ almost got away with scamming millions from NAB – 12 July 2023
As a team of police was searching Helen Rosamond’s terrace house in April 2018, they made an eye-popping discovery. Inside one of the Sydney businesswoman’s two safes was a million-dollar cheque. It was in a National Australia Bank envelope labelled “bank cheque Rosemary Rogers.” Five years after that police search, Rogers is in jail and Rosamond will be sentenced on Monday. This pod cast tells the story of how two ‘besties’ got away with scamming millions.
Corporate adviser Anthony Torre accused of stealing millions from clients pleads not guilty in Perth court – 13 July 2023
A high-profile corporate adviser accused of stealing more than $1.7 million from clients denied the raft of offences weeks after federal prosecutors claimed he was sacking his lawyers to delay the matter. Anthony Paul Torre was charged with five counts of stealing and eight counts of fraud last year.
Man arrested after allegedly selling fake gold bullion outside a Sunshine Coast service station – 14 July 2023
Police have charged a man over an alleged fake gold bullion scam on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Police say the bars were found to be gold-plated copper. He has been charged with three counts of fraud, one count of attempted fraud and two counts of possessing tainted property.
Cloncurry real estate agent Janessa Bidgood faces court on fraud charge – 14 July 2023
Police allege that Janessa Bidgood, a director at Outback Auctions and Real Estate, deliberately and dishonestly failed to present all offers to a seller in Mount Isa. She is accused of presenting her own offer as a buyer, as the sole offer available. This allegedly resulted in the landowner believing no other offer existed and led to the property being sold for approximately $27,500 less than another offer. She has been automatically suspended from her role as a councillor and matter has been adjourned.
