Bankrupt Banker: Australia

Michael John Connally,used 30 fictitious names and several forms of false identification - including licenses, payslips, learner driving permits

Michael John Connally, 36, appeared at a presentence hearing before the County Court today on 72 charges, including obtaining a financial advantage by deception, obtaining property by deception, theft and dishonestly obtaining a passport.<br />Eleven of the offences were committed while Connally was on bail and Judge Leslie Ross described his behaviour as "breathtaking in its scope''. The court heard that between October 2003 and May 2007 Connally used 30 fictitious names and several forms of false identification - including licenses, payslips, learner driving permits and a false passport - to apply for bank loans and credit cards, including one bank loan for $35,000.He used a false name to get a lease on two properties in where he did not pay rent, used a false cheque to buy plasma televisions worth $18,600, and on 23 occasions applied for loans using false documents.When nabbed by police Connally explained that he made false payslips and birth certificates on his computer and using photocopies of driving licenses.Defence lawyer Simon Zebrowski told the court that Connally had a long-standing gambling addiction and a loan shark had lent him $2000 at Oaks Day in 2002.He said the debt had climbed to $120,000 at the time of the offences.The loan shark had shown Connally a photo of his twin sons as a warning and beaten him so viciously that his nose was broken and he now wore false teeth, he said.Mr Zebrowski said Connally had good prospects of rehabilitation but Judge Ross disagreed: "Can you expect me, as someone who is reputed to have a little bit of common sense ... to have any faith in his plans?''Connally, who was originally charged with 400 offences, pleaded guilty to 69 charges of obtaining and attempting to obtain financial advantage and property by deception.He also pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one count of dishonestly obtaining an Australian passport

Michael John Connally,used 30 fictitious names and several forms of false identification - including licenses, payslips, learner driving permits

Michael John Connally, 36, appeared at a presentence hearing before the County Court today on 72 charges, including obtaining a financial ad...

NSW Police Force fraud squad Detectives are warning of a "phishing" scam in which Sydney residents receive an automated phone call at home or work

Victims of a new scam are being targeted by someone claiming to be the head of the NSW Police Force fraud squad.Detectives are warning of a "phishing" scam in which Sydney residents receive an automated phone call at home or work concerning a court appearance they didn't know about. They press a button and are put through to another person.In many cases, that person is someone claiming to be Col Dyson, the fraud squad commander, who asks them for their bank account details.The real Detective Superintendent Colin Dyson said residents were being told their court date has been changed or they were the victim of an identity scam before the courts and should move their money to an account to protect it.<br />"I want to make it clear that I did not, and would not, make such calls. Furthermore, the NSW Police Force would not contact a person and tell them to transfer money into another bank account," Detective Superintendent Dyson warned.<br />"A Fraud Squad strike force is investigating this scam which, based on our intelligence, emanates from a similar scam which has been operating in New York."<br />Residents who believe they have been a victim of this scam are urged to contact their local police station

NSW Police Force fraud squad Detectives are warning of a "phishing" scam in which Sydney residents receive an automated phone call at home or work

Victims of a new scam are being targeted by someone claiming to be the head of the NSW Police Force fraud squad.Detectives are warning of a ...

Internet technology has given organized criminals unprecedented powers to operate "at arm's length"

The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) said on Thursday that Internet technology has given organized criminals unprecedented powers to operate "at arm's length" from their victims and across national borders.A new publication issued by the ACC said crime groups are easily linked with terrorist groups, exchanging information and skills, and professional agents and organizations are increasingly being implicated in crime.However, the Australian community was largely unaware of the widespread of organized crime, ACC chief Alastair Milroy said.In launching a declassified publication in Australia for distribution to businesses and the wider public, Milroy said drug trafficking and money laundering were common activities among organized crime groups, but cyber crime including identity theft and fraud were on the rise."It's very important to remember that what we are really talking about here is substantial planning and organization at a very sophisticated level," the Australian Associated Press quoted Milroy as said.

Internet technology has given organized criminals unprecedented powers to operate "at arm's length"

The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) said on Thursday that Internet technology has given organized criminals unprecedented powers to operat...