19 stories this week:
Inspector-General of Taxation investigates ATO myGov scams that ‘rattle confidence’ in the tax system – 15 December 2023
The inspector-general of taxation is investigating the theft and hijacking of personal information that has allowed millions of dollars of tax fraud by professional scammers. Once inside the account, scammers redirect tax refunds to their own bank accounts, sometimes creating bogus claims and illegally claim refunds belonging to another taxpayer.
Thai police are hunting a notorious fugitive in the jungle. ‘Wealthy Pang’ is daring them to catch him – 15 December 2023
Since escaping custody in late October, Chaowalit Thongduang, has led authorities on a manhunt across multiple provinces, involving over 500 police and costing more than $500,000, all while declaring his innocence via social media and claiming he’s been treated unfairly by the Thai justice system. His widely publicised case has also raised serious questions about corruption and misconduct among police and prison officials in the country and sparked an investigation into some of Thailand’s most powerful institutions.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-15/thailand-wealthy-pang-criminal-taunts-police/103225890
Vatican jails cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was once a papal contender, for fraud over London property deal – 17 December 2023
A Vatican court has sentenced a once-powerful Italian cardinal to five years and six months in jail for financial crimes. Angelo Becciu and nine others were on trial for financial crimes related to a London property purchase. Becciu is accused of embezzlement, abuse of office and witness tampering.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/vatican-sentences-cardinal-angelo-becciu-fraud/103238616
Inside the ‘bizarre’ financial crime that connects an outback town to a Melbourne school – 17 December 2023
Mudasir Mohammed Naseeruddin was arrested and charged in late 2020 in relation to dishonest conduct against six investors with around $500,000 in self-managed super funds. It is alleged that at least 28 SMSFs were created with a total of $2.4 million. After pleading guilty, Naseer had his bail revoked pending sentencing. He now faces up to 15 years in jail.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/smsf-super-fraud-investment-scams-accc-asic/103233956
Market manipulation – an evolving space to watch – 20 December 2023
A Recent ASIC investigation has led to the managing director of Eneco Refresh Ltd (Eneco), to plead guilty to one count of market manipulation and one count of creating a false or misleading appearance of active trading. Eneco is a company that produces bottled water and is listed on the ASX. ASIC’s allegations include that the managing director used the names of his family members 24 times to manipulate Eneco’s share price. Each contravention of market manipulation carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
ASIC’s focus in 2023 – Enforcement Priorities – 20 December 2023
ASIC’s enforcement priorities for 2023 focused on greenwashing, predatory lending, and interrupting investment scams. As we move into the new year it is important that Licensees keep in mind the 2023 enforcement priorities as ASIC is likely to continue to take enforcement action in these areas in addition to the 2024 enforcement priorities.
Airbnb Fined A$15 Million For Misleading 63,000 Australian Customers – 21 December 2023
Airbnb has been slapped with an A$15 million fine and has agreed to pay compensation after misleading nearly 63,000 Australian customers. Certain property rentals on the company’s website were in US dollars instead of the local Australian currency, a detail not initially communicated. It led to unexpected higher costs for some users for their lodgings.
Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy in wake of court order to pay $217m in defamation damages – 22 December 2023
Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy just days after being ordered to pay $US148 million ($217 million) to two former Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud following Donald Trump’s 2020 presidential election loss. Mr Giuliani also faces criminal charges in Georgia. Mr Giuliani’s bankruptcy filing will pause all of the pending civil lawsuits against him.
Scammer sentenced for defrauding vulnerable Australians – warrant issued for alleged scheme mastermind – 22 December 2023
A man was recently sentenced for his role in a scam in which perpetrators impersonated government employees – including claiming to be from the AFP – and defrauded Australians of over $153,000. The victims were told they had the option to be arrested for money laundering offences or settle the matter by providing identity information, funds and bank details to the ‘government employee’ on the phone. By choosing the latter option, victims were allegedly instructed to pay the syndicate through a variety of methods.
Sydney woman charged over alleged card skimming scheme worth $3.75 million as police warn public to be wary of Christmas scams this holiday season – 23 December 2023
A woman was arrested following an investigation into an alleged card skimming scheme worth $3.75 million. She was charged with 133 offences including participation in criminal group and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, and 131 charges of deal with identity information to commit indictable offence.
Australia’s NACC Initiates New Investigations Amid Calls for Stronger Whistleblower Protections – 26 December 2023
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Australia has initiated an in-depth probe into ten new cases even as it rejected a whopping 88% of the 2,327 referrals it has received to date. Independent MP Helen Haines, underscored the urgent need for robust whistleblower protections. She pointed out the glaring deficiencies in the existing system that fails to safeguard individuals of the likes of David McBride and Richard Boyle.
Hackers stole $2 billion in crypto in 2023, data shows – 27 December 2023
For yet another year, hackers stole billions of dollars in crypto. But for the first time since 2020, the trend is downwards, according to crypto security firms. This year, hackers stole around $2 billion dollars in crypto across dozens of cyberattacks and thefts. The year before, hackers stole $3.3 billion. It’s impossible to predict what will happen in 2024. But given the poor security implemented by many crypto and web3 projects and the sheer amount of monetary value they hold, , we can expect hackers to continue targeting the growing industry.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/hackers-stole-2-billion-crypto-140555052.html
Workplace cultural issues continue to plague Australian Antarctic Division, leaked survey shows – 29 December 2023
A leaked internal survey shows there are still morale issues and concerns about reporting harmful behaviours at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). The previous review revealed multiple staff complaints about a predatory culture of sexual harassment, including everything from unwanted requests for sex to offensive displays of pornography. One expeditioner who responded to the survey said the AAD workforce was “the most monocultural” place they had worked at.
‘Pig butchering’: Scammers using slaves in Southeast Asia to rob billions from victims in cryptocurrency scam – 29 December 2023
Reporters at CNN conducted an investigation into ‘pig butchering’: where scammers pretend to be women online, building relationships with victims and influencing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms before taking the money themselves. In Southeast Asia, workers from various countries have been trafficked to Myanmar. These workers are then forced by Chinese crime syndicates to conduct online pig butchering scams for them, taking billions of dollars for the owners of the organisations. According to the FBI, pig butchering scams caused losses of up to $4.2 billion throughout 2023.
Andy Cohen scammed out of ‘a lot of money’ by fraudster who got his bank account details – 2 January 2024
TV personality Andy Cohen was scammed after a fraudster duped him into handing over his personal details over the phone. The fraudsters hacked the caller ID system, so the name of Cohen’s bank appeared when they dialled him and named credits he had made – the charges – because had access to the account. The TV host said by the time he realised he was being scammed, it was too late.
US court releases list of people connected to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein – 3 January 2024
The names of more than 150 people mentioned in a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, were kept under seal for years until a federal judge ruled last month that there was no legal justification to keep them private.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-04/jeffrey-epstein-associate-names-to-be-released/103283648
The secret donors behind the millions in ‘dark money’ fuelling WA politics – 4 January 2024
Most of the millions donated to WA political parties is shrouded in secrecy with donors denying they are seeking influence over policy. But ‘cash for access’ is how some characterise it and legal loophole is protecting their identities – meaning we may never know who is paying for access to the highest levels of government.
