Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Luke Sayers picks up govt work - While Bored’ CBA staffer stole details of hundreds of customers to feed fraud


Former PwC CEO picks up govt work

QUESTIONS are being asked about why the former CEO of PwC who oversaw the firm while it used confidential information from the Australian Tax Office to win clients is continuing to win government contracts.



Luke Sayers, who was CEO of PwC Australia between 2012 and 2020, has won contracts worth over $13 million with a variety of government departments since he launched his consulting firm Sayers Group in 2020.

Mr Sayers has distanced himself from direct involvement in the cabal of senior tax partners who were sharing confidential information on how the ATO was preparing to roll out its multinational tax avoidance legislation to overseas clients and said he took action to address the issue before it became public.

However, a Senate committee that investigated the leaks found Sayers's evidence to be "implausible" and "scarcely credible" and PwC continues to be subject to investigations from the Tax Practitioners Board, the Tax Office and the Australian Federal Police, as well as the ongoing joint parliamentary inquiry.

Greens senator Barbara Pocock, who recommended Sayers Group be blocked from government contracts in her additional comments to the Senate inquiry report, said Mr Sayers had been able to come out of the fracas unscathed.

"This was a massive failure of corporate governance and what we are seeing is the person responsible, Luke Sayers, deflecting blame onto others and trying to absolve himself by saying 'sorry, this should never have happened,'" Senator Pocock said.

"Well, it happened on your watch Mr Sayers and now it's time to face the music."

Labor senator Barbara O'Neill said consultants played a "necessary role" in delivering advice and service to government, but that the sector was not off the hook yet.

"All players in this sector can expect ongoing scrutiny from the parliament to ensure the highest standards of ethical behaviour and value for money for taxpayers."

While overall spending on consultants is down on previous years, some contract values have continued to expand well beyond the original price, and Sayers Group is no exception.

A separate contract with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for management support services doubled in price earlier this year, while a contract initially worth $658,680 with the National Indigenous Australians Agency increased by over $1.5 million when it was updated in 2022.

Ms Pocock said this confirmed that so called "land and expand" practices were "alive and well".

"The use of contract extensions to sidestep the process of a competitive tender serves to both vary the scope of work and increase the value of the contract without competing with any other suppliers," Ms Pocock said.

"This classic manoeuvre locks out of the contracting process, those smaller more nimble consulting firms who can often deliver high quality work at a lower cost, as well as other big four competitors."


Curtis McNulty: The Brave Warrior Taking on Paypal Fraud by Alfredbaldwin ·

15 Nov 2023 — Curtis McNulty's relentless pursuit of justice has left an indelible mark on the fight against Paypal fraud. His groundbreaking work has ...

Introduction

In the vast digital realm, where e-commerce is booming and online transactions are the norm, a name stands out among the crowd — Curtis McNulty Paypal fraud. This fearless warrior has taken up the formidable task of battling against Paypal fraud, tirelessly working to protect innocent consumers from falling victim to this pervasive menace. In this article, we will delve into the life and mission of Curtis McNulty, exploring his journey, achievements, and the impact he has made in the fight against Paypal fraud.

The Early Days

Curtis McNulty’s story begins in a small town, where he grew up surrounded by humble beginnings. From an early age, he displayed a keen sense of justice and a strong determination to make a difference in the world. Little did he know that his path would ultimately lead him to take on one of the biggest challenges of the digital era.

A Call to Action

It was during his college years that Curtis McNulty first encountered the dark underbelly of online fraud. Witnessing firsthand the devastating effects it had on unsuspecting victims, he felt a burning desire to bring about change. With his analytical mind and unparalleled passion, he embarked on a mission to expose and combat Paypal fraud.

The Battle Begins

Armed with his unwavering resolve and a deep understanding of the complexities of online transactions, Curtis McNulty began his battle against Paypal fraud. Through extensive research, he uncovered the intricate web of scams and schemes that perpetrators used to deceive innocent individuals. His efforts led to the identification and prosecution of numerous fraudsters, bringing justice to those who had been wronged.

The Legacy

Curtis McNulty’s relentless pursuit of justice has left an indelible mark on the fight against Paypal fraud. His groundbreaking work has inspired a new generation of warriors who are committed to protecting consumers and maintaining the integrity of online transactions. His legacy serves as a reminder that one person’s determination can make a significant difference in the world.

Conclusion

In a world where online fraud runs rampant, Curtis McNulty stands tall as a beacon of hope. His bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the cause have made him a true hero in the fight against Paypal fraud. Through his tireless efforts, he has not only protected countless individuals from falling victim to scams but has also raised awareness about the importance of online security. Curtis McNulty’s story is a testament to the power of one individual to effect change and make the world a safer place for all.


Former Commonwealth Bank worker Curtis McNulty wrote to an associate on encrypted messaging platform Telegram that detectives had just visited his Balmain home.
“Cops were over, stay safe,” he wrote.
“They didn’t have a warrant, just asked questions. They were funny, asked if I knew what this shit was… the PayPal crap.”
McNulty had been using stolen customer information to defraud PayPal for more than a year, and continued for several months after police spoke to him.
McNulty avoided jail on Tuesday for stealing more than $53,000 from PayPal from October 2020 to August 2022, mainly by using fraudulent refunds for items such as $3000 sneakers.
The 26-year-old admitted to accessing and photographing names, emails, dates of birth, contact numbers, addresses and driver’s licence details of nearly 500 bank customers, and lodging applications for financial products for six customers while working as a contact centre associate at Commonwealth Bank in Eveleigh.
McNulty made 16 PayPal accounts held in names of other people using Commonwealth Bank data, then defrauded the payment company using two methods.
First, he bought goods, pretended to return them with a fake tracking ID, and later sold them online.
Second, he transferred funds between Paypal accounts and withdrew them. He disputed the transaction with PayPal as “unauthorised” and was refunded as compensation.
McNulty also created bank customer profiles using identification information from non-customers which he bought via Telegram chats.
McNulty (left) pleaded guilty to the fraud in late 2023.
McNulty (left) pleaded guilty to the fraud in late 2023.CREDIT: KATE GERAGHTY
His phone contained detailed notes describing how to carry out the fake refunds.
In one note, he wrote: “Build up account and then do claim for sneakers. Next month 1k purchase on PayPal and then order Travis Scott Jordan 1s 9.5 $3100.”
In another email to PayPal, he wrote that he had ordered a MacBook and iPhone for himself and his brother for Christmas, but to his “dismay” he received the wrong models.
“I thought as I am close to the city the order would be arriving on Monday morning/evening,” he wrote.
“As the order didn’t arrive on [sic] those times I was forced to buy a new phone locally as I need one for work. I am more than happy to return these items so I can reorder my Christmas present for me and my family.”
As the Australian Federal Police caught on to McNulty’s crimes, they searched his Balmain home on August 10, 2022.
They discovered debit and credit cards in four Commonwealth Bank customer’s names, two laptops and six mobile phones.
On his devices, they found information from customers’ drivers licences, credit and debit cards, Medicare cards, passports and utility bills.
The laptop had screenshots of instructions of how to fraudulently obtain refunds from Amazon and PayPal, and Telegram chats where McNulty gave others advice.
Police told Commonwealth Bank, and McNulty made detailed admissions in an interview with his employer.
He told them he began recording customer information daily from July 2021, mainly because “life was boring in a lot of ways” and he “felt like it could make it a bit more interesting”.
McNulty was fired on September 7, 2022 and arrested on August 10, 2023.
He pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining or dealing in personal financial information, accessing data by a carriage service with intent to commit a serious offence, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, and possessing identification information.
In his sentencing at Downing Centre District Court, Judge John Pickering accepted earlier evidence given by McNulty that he was somewhat motivated by people in his online gaming community, whom he met in the height of COVID and had pressured him to open fake accounts.
He was also partly motivated by helping his debt-ridden ex-partner, as well as simply “out of his own greed”.
Pickering said a psychiatrist noted he lacked impulse control due to his ADHD diagnosis, had people-pleasing tendencies and struggled with social awareness, with his mental health slightly reducing his moral culpability.
But he said the impact of identity fraud was serious.
“It is really hard to recover your identity; it is really hard when people steal it,” he said.
Despite this, Pickering said McNulty had no prior criminal record and showed good prospects of rehabilitation, with his reoffending risk better dealt with in the community than in full-time custody.
McNulty was sentenced to a supervised intensive correction order of two years and four months for three Commonwealth offences.
He received a separate 16-month intensive correction order for the NSW offence, beginning on December 22, 2025 and expiring on April 26, 2027.
McNulty must do 500 hours of community service, pay a $7000 fine, continue mental health treatment and abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs.