I'll provide you with significant Australian fraud cases across different categories. These cases have shaped fraud law in Australia and demonstrate various types of fraudulent conduct. ## **Major Australian Fraud Cases** ### **Corporate Fraud** **1. ASIC v Healey & Ors [2011] FCA 717 (Centro Case)** - Directors failed to properly review financial statements - Established directors' duties regarding financial reporting - Key principle: Directors must understand financial statements and cannot rely solely on others **2. R v Rivkin [2003] NSWCCA 363** - Insider trading case involving Rene Rivkin - Convicted of trading Qantas shares with inside information - Significant case for securities fraud enforcement **3. ASIC v Rich [2009] NSWSC 1229 (One.Tel)** - Directors' duties and corporate governance failures - Examined breach of duty of care and diligence under s 180 Corporations Act ### **Criminal Fraud - Commonwealth** **4. R v Petroulias; R v Malay (No. 36) [2022] NSWSC 1001** - Complex fraud involving Indigenous land rights - Conspiracy to defraud under NSW Crimes Act - Multiple defendants, sophisticated scheme **5. Peters v The Queen [1998] HCA 7** - High Court case on conspiracy to defraud - Established principles for proving fraudulent intent - Important for understanding Commonwealth fraud offences ### **Tax Fraud** **6. Commissioner of Taxation v Cassaniti [2018] FCAFC 212** - Phoenixing and tax fraud - Director liability for company tax debts - ATO enforcement powers **7. Dickfos v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [2014] FCAFC 177** - GST fraud through carousel schemes - Sham transactions and tax evasion ### **Investment/Financial Services Fraud** **8. ASIC v Cassimatis (No 8) [2016] FCA 1023 (Storm Financial)** - Inappropriate financial advice leading to investor losses - Breach of best interests duty under Corporations Act - Compensation ordered for affected clients **9. Trio Capital Cases - ASIC v Shafron [2012] NSWCA 394** - Superannuation fraud - $180 million fraud involving SMSF investments - Directors' duties in managed investment schemes ### **Banking and Credit Fraud** **10. ASIC v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [2019] FCA 1284** - Fee for no service scandal - Civil penalty proceedings - Systemic misconduct in financial services **11. ASIC v Westpac Banking Corporation [2020] FCA 1457** - Money laundering and counter-terrorism financing breaches - Record civil penalty of $1.3 billion - Systemic compliance failures ### **Consumer Fraud** **12. ACCC v Valve Corporation (No 3) [2016] FCA 196** - Misleading and deceptive conduct under Australian Consumer Law - International company subject to ACL - Consumer guarantees and refund rights **13. ACCC v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1405** - "Fresh" bread misleading conduct case - $2.5 million penalty - Truth in advertising requirements ### **Professional Services Fraud** **14. Legal Services Commissioner v Nguyen [2020] QCAT 352** - Solicitor's trust account fraud - Misappropriation of client funds - Professional misconduct and criminal charges ### **Government Procurement Fraud** **15. R v Obeid (No 12) [2016] NSWSC 1815** - NSW politician corruption case - Misconduct in public office - Fraudulent mining licenses ## **Key Fraud Legislation in Australia** ### **Commonwealth:** - Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) - Part 7.3 (Fraudulent Conduct) - Corporations Act 2001 - Various provisions - Competition and Consumer Act 2010 - Schedule 2 (ACL) ### **State Examples (NSW):** - Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Part 4AA (Fraud and Related Offences) - Section 192E - Fraud (10 years maximum) - Section 192G - Misleading statements ## **Important Legal Principles from These Cases:** 1. **Dishonesty Test**: *Peters v The Queen* - subjective and objective elements 2. **Directors' Duties**: *Centro* - cannot delegate understanding of finances 3. **Continuous Disclosure**: Various ASIC cases on market disclosure 4. **Consumer Protection**: Strict liability for misleading conduct 5. **Professional Standards**: Fiduciary duties and trust account obligations ## **Regulatory Bodies Involved:** - ASIC (corporate and financial services fraud) - ACCC (consumer fraud) - ATO (tax fraud) - CDPP (Commonwealth criminal prosecutions) - State DPPs (State criminal prosecutions) - AUSTRAC (money laundering) **Would you like me to:** 1. Focus on a specific type of fraud? 2. Provide more detail on any particular case? 3. Explain the elements of fraud offences in a specific jurisdiction? 4. Discuss recent legislative changes or emerging fraud trends? **Disclaimer:** This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific matters, please consult with a qualified Australian legal practitioner who can advise on your particular circumstances.