As a result of a year and a half long investigation by Centrelink authorities, more than 160 welfare cheats have been identified as being involved in money laundering scams. Officials say it is likely to be connected to organized crime syndicates as well as outlaw biker gangs.
In this type of money laundering scam, dirty money (acquired by illegal means) is used to buy casino gambling chips thereby cleaning the money. When unusually large chip purchases began to be noticed at casinos across Australia, Centrelink began investigating. Officials can track either the dirty money or the chips when they are cashed in once they have identified suspicious activity.
Whether through the cashier or at the gaming tables, any transaction greater than $10,000 requires the proof of identification so large transactions are recorded and thus able to be tracked. Centrelink found 30 cheats who had converted over a million dollars each and the average chip purchase was $155, 000.
Two cases stand head and shoulders above the rest – an elderly pensioner who cashed in $1.5 million and a single mother who converted $1.3 million dollars in chips. Some of the dole recipients were found to have purchased luxurious penthouse apartments and had been enjoying frequent comps from the casinos such as free accommodations and trips.
All cases have been turned over to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for criminal charges to be filed. (Credit: World Casino Directory)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Crime News
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Repentant ex-mafia boss says tennis a top target for fixers - The Sydney Morning Herald - 1st January 2009
Former mafia crime boss Michael Franzese says top-level tennis matches are being influenced by gamblers and the sport would be his prime focus were he still in the business of impacting outcomes.
Franzese, a former boss in the Colombo crime family, serves as a consultant and speaker regarding his days with the mob and has spoken with ATP players about the methods that are used to spread corruption in sport.
"It's definitely going on," Franzese told AFP. "If I were in this business now, tennis would be my major target because one player can impact the game. That's all you need."
An FBI probe in the 1980s and a decade in prison helped push Franzese to change his ways and help those who safeguard the integrity of sport, but his crime contacts lead him to believe organized crime remains involved in tennis.
"I have to believe they are, certainly from the feedbacks I've gotten since I got involved with the ATP," Franzese said. "Sports has become such an incredibly lucrative racket, so to speak, for guys on the street."
Franseze, 57, has spoken with National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, tennis stars and elite US college athletes about the dangers of match-fixers, often counseling newcomers on how to avoid being ensnared in gambling woes.
His talks included a March 2007 session with ATP players.
"They told me there's a problem in the sport. It is something that has to be addressed," he said. "Mainly, I told them how damaging and dangerous it could be for them to get involved in gambling and get around the wrong people.
"Gambling is a very serious business. If you put yourself in a gambling situation, you're most likely going to attract the wrong people because those same people are watching you. They want to find out who's got a gambling problem."
Less than five months after Franzese spoke came a match in Sopot in which unusual on-line betting patterns were registered about Russian Nikolay Davydenko's loss to Argentina's Martin Vassallo-Arguello.
An ATP investigation into the match concluded last September that there was no wrongdoing by Davydenko or his rival.
Franzese remains suspicious.
"He is a pretty top player. Something else is going on there. Somebody has a hook on him," he said.
Franzese claims first-hand expertise at influencing athletes to drop a match to satisfy gamblers, including threats of bodily harm for failure to comply.
"None of these players want to do it. They do it because they're put in a situation," he said. "It's sad because they're doing it against their will. They have no way out. They all regret it. And that's why it's so damaging to their career. Psychologically, it gets to them.
"I've seen it happen so many times. They just can't perform the same. It does affect them. It affects their careers. Sometimes it's irreversible."
The impact on the sport could be as damaging as on the players. If supporters feel betrayed and have no faith the match results are legitimate, interest is likely to fade.
"All of them have a fear of gambling. All of them are not quite sure how to deal with it because they know it can happen at any time," Franseze said.
"In this country, we've had dogfighting incidents, a massive steroid scandal in baseball. They can overcome those things. They will not be able to overcome a major gambling issue.
"Once people start to believe that sports are fixed, that it becomes staged, forget it, the sport is done. Every pro sport knows that."
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Sports Betting
Crime News
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Franzese, a former boss in the Colombo crime family, serves as a consultant and speaker regarding his days with the mob and has spoken with ATP players about the methods that are used to spread corruption in sport.
"It's definitely going on," Franzese told AFP. "If I were in this business now, tennis would be my major target because one player can impact the game. That's all you need."
An FBI probe in the 1980s and a decade in prison helped push Franzese to change his ways and help those who safeguard the integrity of sport, but his crime contacts lead him to believe organized crime remains involved in tennis.
"I have to believe they are, certainly from the feedbacks I've gotten since I got involved with the ATP," Franzese said. "Sports has become such an incredibly lucrative racket, so to speak, for guys on the street."
Franseze, 57, has spoken with National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, tennis stars and elite US college athletes about the dangers of match-fixers, often counseling newcomers on how to avoid being ensnared in gambling woes.
His talks included a March 2007 session with ATP players.
"They told me there's a problem in the sport. It is something that has to be addressed," he said. "Mainly, I told them how damaging and dangerous it could be for them to get involved in gambling and get around the wrong people.
"Gambling is a very serious business. If you put yourself in a gambling situation, you're most likely going to attract the wrong people because those same people are watching you. They want to find out who's got a gambling problem."
Less than five months after Franzese spoke came a match in Sopot in which unusual on-line betting patterns were registered about Russian Nikolay Davydenko's loss to Argentina's Martin Vassallo-Arguello.
An ATP investigation into the match concluded last September that there was no wrongdoing by Davydenko or his rival.
Franzese remains suspicious.
"He is a pretty top player. Something else is going on there. Somebody has a hook on him," he said.
Franzese claims first-hand expertise at influencing athletes to drop a match to satisfy gamblers, including threats of bodily harm for failure to comply.
"None of these players want to do it. They do it because they're put in a situation," he said. "It's sad because they're doing it against their will. They have no way out. They all regret it. And that's why it's so damaging to their career. Psychologically, it gets to them.
"I've seen it happen so many times. They just can't perform the same. It does affect them. It affects their careers. Sometimes it's irreversible."
The impact on the sport could be as damaging as on the players. If supporters feel betrayed and have no faith the match results are legitimate, interest is likely to fade.
"All of them have a fear of gambling. All of them are not quite sure how to deal with it because they know it can happen at any time," Franseze said.
"In this country, we've had dogfighting incidents, a massive steroid scandal in baseball. They can overcome those things. They will not be able to overcome a major gambling issue.
"Once people start to believe that sports are fixed, that it becomes staged, forget it, the sport is done. Every pro sport knows that."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Sports Betting
Crime News
Sports News
New laws delay drinking, playing pokies until 10am, by Patrick Lion and Gabrielle Dunlevy - The Courier-Mail - 31st December 2008
New Year's revellers will be unable have a beer and a flutter on the pokies first up this morning under one of several new laws effective from today.
The poker machine crackdown comes as the Bligh Government increases every fine by 33 per cent, putting infringements for speeding, parking and smoking in line with other states.
For example, drivers caught using a mobile phone will now cop a $300 fine instead of only $225 previously.
Premier Anna Bligh yesterday said the new hotel opening times would make communities safer.
Almost 900 licensed liquor outlets will not open until after 10am today while others with specific approval to open earlier will have to wait until 9am instead of 7am to serve alcohol.
"There remains more than ample time to have a drink or a flutter with 14 hours trading from 10am to midnight," Ms Bligh said.
On-the-spot fines for public nuisance offences such as urinating in public will also be trialled from today in a move aimed at freeing up the courts.
Today will also herald several policies to better protect householders from noise and air pollution.
The new Environmental Protection Policies will help guide government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and local councils, manage air quality and noise standards.
Councils will be largely responsible for air and noise complaints, but will have greater flexibility in dealing with them.
There will also be changes affecting the building industry.
The Government will enforce tighter controls over the labelling of rainwater tanks that supply water to plumbing fixtures, to ensure they are clearly identified.
A new code for maintaining fire safety installations will be introduced, specifying the maintenance records required.
In tax changes from today, home transfer and home mortgage duty concessions will not be lost if the home is being disposed of due to an event such as a natural disaster, death or incapacity.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Crime News Media
The poker machine crackdown comes as the Bligh Government increases every fine by 33 per cent, putting infringements for speeding, parking and smoking in line with other states.
For example, drivers caught using a mobile phone will now cop a $300 fine instead of only $225 previously.
Premier Anna Bligh yesterday said the new hotel opening times would make communities safer.
Almost 900 licensed liquor outlets will not open until after 10am today while others with specific approval to open earlier will have to wait until 9am instead of 7am to serve alcohol.
"There remains more than ample time to have a drink or a flutter with 14 hours trading from 10am to midnight," Ms Bligh said.
On-the-spot fines for public nuisance offences such as urinating in public will also be trialled from today in a move aimed at freeing up the courts.
Today will also herald several policies to better protect householders from noise and air pollution.
The new Environmental Protection Policies will help guide government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and local councils, manage air quality and noise standards.
Councils will be largely responsible for air and noise complaints, but will have greater flexibility in dealing with them.
There will also be changes affecting the building industry.
The Government will enforce tighter controls over the labelling of rainwater tanks that supply water to plumbing fixtures, to ensure they are clearly identified.
A new code for maintaining fire safety installations will be introduced, specifying the maintenance records required.
In tax changes from today, home transfer and home mortgage duty concessions will not be lost if the home is being disposed of due to an event such as a natural disaster, death or incapacity.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Crime News Media
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