Staffer who stole $250,000 from Bank gripped by ‘chronic gambling’

7 December 2012 By
Forensic Accountants Sydney Bank Fraud

Forensic Accountants commonly investigate frauds such as the one commiitted by an employee of a Sydney Bank.

A former Commonwealth Bank employee who stole almost $250,000 from customers’ accounts has been described by a magistrate as intelligent and resourceful but gripped by “chronic gambling”.

Karen Myhanh Chau, 40, stole almost $250,000 from wealthy clients, including author Thomas Keneally, and transferred the funds into a personal account.

She committed the crimes between October 2010 and January of this year.

Chau pleaded guilty in August to six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and in October was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of one year.

In Downing Centre Local court on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley ruled that Chau could serve out her sentence in home detention.

“She is clearly a resourceful and intelligent woman,” Ms Mottley told the court.

“She is likely to find it difficult to get employment in the financial industry as a result of this offence.”

Chau took the money from the clients in 72 separate transactions and put some funds back into some of the victim’s accounts to indicate interest was being earned.

The Commonwealth Bank has said it had refunded all the money to the clients.

Ms Mottley said Chau had endured tough personal circumstances in the early 2000s, including a miscarriage, and this had led to depression, contributing to her gambling addiction.

She said Chau was “gripped by a chronic gambling problem” and gambling had become a coping strategy for her.

“This offence is a clear manifestation of an unresolved addiction” she said.

Chau has no prior convictions and was described as a “model citizen” during sentence submissions in October.

The court heard she has been making excellent progress at gambling counselling sessions.

Her minimum home detention period expires in October next year.

(Source: AAP, 28 November 28 2012)

Further Information – Forensic Accountant

If you would like further information about using our forensic accounting services for a financial investigation or other expert witness matter, then please contact us for an obligation free discussion.

We provide services to corporations, law firms and individuals in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and across Australia.

 

Filed Under: Forensic Acccountant, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

ASIC obtains court orders permanently banning Sydney financial adviser after Fraud Investigation

5 December 2012 By
Forensic Accountants are frequently used by ASIC in their investigations

Forensic Accountants are frequently used by ASIC in their investigations

ASIC yesterday obtained court orders permanently banning Melinda Scott from providing any financial services and disqualifying her from managing corporations for 25 years after she defrauded clients of more than $3.6 million over 8 years.

The Supreme Court of New South Wales also made orders permanently restraining Roach Graham Scott Pty Ltd (RGS), a company of which Ms Scott, of Lilli Pilli, was sole director, from carrying on a financial services business or providing a financial service.

The Court declared between 9 February 2004 and 27 April 2012 both Ms Scott and RGS repeatedly and persistently engaged in dishonest conduct when providing financial services. In particular, the Court found Ms Scott and RGS obtained $3,632,759.46 from 56 separate clients, which Ms Scott generally used for her own personal benefit knowing that this was not in accordance with the clients’ instructions. The Court also found Ms Scott and RGS falsely told some clients their money had been invested in accordance with their instructions and was making returns.

ASIC’s investigation into Ms Scott’s conduct is continuing.

Ms Scott engaged in the aforementioned conduct when she was an authorised representative of Millennium 3 Financial Services Pty Ltd, a financial advice business owned by the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited. Her authorisation was revoked on 15 May 2012.

ASIC first obtained court orders against Ms Scott preventing her from carrying on a financial services business in May 2012.

(Source: ASIC,  4 December 2012)

Filed Under: Financial Adviser, Forensic Accountant Sydney, Fraud Investigation Tagged With:

Alleged fraud involving more than $3m on business credit card

16 October 2012 By
Forensic Accountants commonly investigate expense reimbursement fraud

Forensic Accountants commonly investigate expense reimbursement fraud

A 40-year-old man has been charged with fraud after police allegedly seized $3 million worth of property – including wines, food, office supplies and cleaning products – they say he had stashed in warehouses across Sydney.

In January last year, police allegedly found a large amount of fraudulently obtained goods in a warehouse in Old Guildford in Sydney’s west and set up Strike Force Traver.

During the long investigation, millions of dollars worth of property were allegedly discovered at several warehouses across Sydney.

Police believe the items were bought illegally through a business using a credit card but never paid for between October 2010 and January 2011.

The man was arrested in Silverwater on Friday. He was charged with 27 counts of fraud, refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court today.

Strike Force Traver, involving Fairfield local police, will continue their investigations.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

(Source: Esther Han, SMH, 13 October 2012)

Filed Under: Forensic Acccountant, Fraud Investigation Tagged With: , ,

What assets are commonly missed when a property settlement is being determined?

6 October 2011 By

When it comes to detailing the marital assets and liabilities, many people forget to include small business ventures.

You may have a home business, internet business or other venture that generates income. These businesses need to be valued and included in the joint assets and liabilities. Valuing a business of this type will always involve a degree of judgement and we recommend that a valuation be conducted. It can be surprisingly how often the value of a business can represent a large component of the net marital assets.

If you are currently separated, it’s important to try and obtain copies of as much documentation as you can in relation to these types of businesses. Examples include: bank statements, invoices, BAS Statements, Financial Statements and other correspondence. The documentation will assist in the preparation of a valuation.

If your divorce ends up in Court then the valuation can be used as evidence of the value of the business, or more commonly it will assist you and your ex partner in coming to a negotiated settlement.

If you would like more information about valuing a business as part of a property settlement then please contact us for an obligation free discussion.

Filed Under: Family law Tagged With: , , , ,