Invest
Collingwood faithful cops it for defrauding investors $815,000
Football friendships turned sour for investors who were defrauded approximately $815,000 by a Victorian man, who has now been found guilty on charges of dishonesty.
Collingwood faithful cops it for defrauding investors $815,000
Football friendships turned sour for investors who were defrauded approximately $815,000 by a Victorian man, who has now been found guilty on charges of dishonesty.
Douglas Johnston of Carrum Downs has been found guilty by the County Court of Victoria on nine dishonesty charges that resulted in approximately $815,000 being defrauded from investors, according to a statement from ASIC.
Mr Johnston used his association with the Collingwood Football Club to develop friendships with investors before raising the idea of investing with them. The majority of the funds invested were never repaid, ASIC said.
The offences were committed by Mr Johnston and his wife Maureen Johnston to secure funds by false representations as to how the money was being used.
Between January 2010 to November 2013, funds deposited into a bank account named “Small Business Management” were withdrawn as cash, used to repay the Johnstons’ credit card debts and transferred to another account in the name of Maureen Johnston.
Friend or foe?
More broadly, developing friendships is a popular way investors are targeted with scams and shams.
“By developing a friendly relationship with you, scammers know you’re more likely to listen to them and go along with something they suggest,” ASIC said.
Promises of “easy money” are another warning sign that investors should look out for.
“Some scammers will approach you with offers to make easy money, perhaps by investing in their company or product with little to no risk, or by offering you a ‘loan’,” ASIC said.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Stock market
6K Additive secures A$48 million through initial public offering on the Australian Stock Exchange
6K Additive, a prominent player in the advanced metal powders and alloy additions market, has made a significant stride by successfully completing its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Australian ...Read more
Stock market
Institutional investors increase stock allocations to 18-year high amid cautious market shifts
In a recent development, State Street Markets unveiled the findings of its latest State Street Institutional Investor Indicators, revealing intriguing shifts in institutional investor behaviourRead more
Stock market
FOREX.com launches in Australia to empower self-directed traders
StoneX Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SNEX) has announced the Australian launch of FOREX.com, expanding access for self-directed traders to a global suite of Contracts for Difference (CFD) products across ...Read more
Stock market
Westpac and CMC Markets strengthen partnership to enhance online trading services
In a significant move that underscores the evolving landscape of online trading in Australia, CMC Markets Stockbroking has been chosen as the preferred vendor by Westpac Banking Corporation to extend ...Read more
Stock market
Portfolio reviews as an operating discipline: turning volatility into a competitive edge
In a higher-rate, higher-volatility world, portfolio reviews are no longer an annual hygiene task; they’re a core operating rhythm that protects cash flow, unlocks tax alpha, and sharpens risk ...Read more
Stock market
Fee war on the ASX: Global X’s A300 turns up the heat on core Aussie equity ETFs
Global X has lobbed a 0.04% management fee into Australia’s core equity sandbox, launching the Australia 300 ETF (A300) to take on entrenched giants. Read more
Stock market
Challenger IM shakes up the ASX with private credit note and a side of risk
Challenger Investment Management has taken private credit mainstream with an ASX-listed note structure—LiFTs—that secured roughly $100 million in cornerstone commitments within a day of launch. Read more
Stock market
International stocks: Diversifying your portfolio beyond Australia
In an increasingly globalized market, Australian investors have the opportunity to enhance their investment portfolio by incorporating international stocks. Diversifying your investments globally can ...Read more
Stock market
6K Additive secures A$48 million through initial public offering on the Australian Stock Exchange
6K Additive, a prominent player in the advanced metal powders and alloy additions market, has made a significant stride by successfully completing its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Australian ...Read more
Stock market
Institutional investors increase stock allocations to 18-year high amid cautious market shifts
In a recent development, State Street Markets unveiled the findings of its latest State Street Institutional Investor Indicators, revealing intriguing shifts in institutional investor behaviourRead more
Stock market
FOREX.com launches in Australia to empower self-directed traders
StoneX Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SNEX) has announced the Australian launch of FOREX.com, expanding access for self-directed traders to a global suite of Contracts for Difference (CFD) products across ...Read more
Stock market
Westpac and CMC Markets strengthen partnership to enhance online trading services
In a significant move that underscores the evolving landscape of online trading in Australia, CMC Markets Stockbroking has been chosen as the preferred vendor by Westpac Banking Corporation to extend ...Read more
Stock market
Portfolio reviews as an operating discipline: turning volatility into a competitive edge
In a higher-rate, higher-volatility world, portfolio reviews are no longer an annual hygiene task; they’re a core operating rhythm that protects cash flow, unlocks tax alpha, and sharpens risk ...Read more
Stock market
Fee war on the ASX: Global X’s A300 turns up the heat on core Aussie equity ETFs
Global X has lobbed a 0.04% management fee into Australia’s core equity sandbox, launching the Australia 300 ETF (A300) to take on entrenched giants. Read more
Stock market
Challenger IM shakes up the ASX with private credit note and a side of risk
Challenger Investment Management has taken private credit mainstream with an ASX-listed note structure—LiFTs—that secured roughly $100 million in cornerstone commitments within a day of launch. Read more
Stock market
International stocks: Diversifying your portfolio beyond Australia
In an increasingly globalized market, Australian investors have the opportunity to enhance their investment portfolio by incorporating international stocks. Diversifying your investments globally can ...Read more
