The Australian reports(paywalled) (archive) that a Financial Action Task Force meeting scheduled to run June 21st through 26th in Brisbane, Australia will include discussions regarding the possible use of Bitcoin by terrorists with the view that exchanges who turn bitcoin into fiat currency should be required to report transactions it perceives to be suspicious. At discussions held yesterday, the current head of FATF and former Australian public servant Roger Wilkins (archive) also shared concerns regarding the use of cash, saying: Continue reading
Category Archives: Australia
Company Pays $14,000 Ransom In Bitcoin, Attackers Return For More
The Brisbane Times reports (archive) that an unnamed multinational company located in Brisbane, Australia recently paid a bitcoin ransom totalling AUD $14,000 or approximately USD $10,500 after its computer system was compromised resulting in the theft of what police claim is sensitive data pertaining to the operation of the business. Continue reading
Four Australians Among 21 Arrested For Firearm Purchases
Australian newspaper The Herald Sun reports (archive) that four Australians are among 21 people arrested by a joint Australian and American taskforce aimed at curbing the online purchase of firearms with bitcoin on the dark web. Continue reading
The Chicken Brothers Cook Up Some Ransomware
Bloatware publisher Symantec reports (archive) that a variant of Cryptolocker is infecting numerous computers throughout Australia, demanding a ransom of up to AUD $1,000 or USD $790 payable to none other than Los Pollos Hermanos.
The Breaking Bad branded variant, which encrypts common file extensions such as *.gif, *.doc, *.mp3, *.pdf, *.txt. *.zip, *.xls and so on directs victims to email theonewhoknocks@mailinator.com for support related enquiries, but at this time that inbox is empty. Continue reading
Seized Bitcoin ATM Returned
The Bitcoin ATM seized by Australian police from a Brisbane business back in October has finally been returned. According to local police superintendent Mick Niland the seizure happened under the mere suspicion the machine was being used for other than lawful purposes.
Australian Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 12 Years Prison
An Australian man who late last month plead guilty to drug trafficking charges in relation to the importation of MDMA, cocaine and amphetamines into Australia was yesterday sentenced to 12 and a half years prison. Continue reading
Silk Road Moderator Pleads Guilty, Faces Life Imprisonment
A 42 year old man who waived his extradition rights and was subsequently extradited from Australia to the United States last November today plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit narcotics trafficking and money laundering for his role as a moderator of the Silk Road forum. Continue reading
Antonopoulos, AFP, AG & ATO Appear Before Australian Senate
A second public hearing held by the Australian Senate on the topic of digital currencies began earlier today with the morning session kicked off by none other than Andreas Antonopoulos. Antonopoulos' appearance as an expert witness before the committee is a puzzling choice due to Antonopoulos' history of involvement with numerous scams such as Neo&Bee and the Bitcoin Foundation. Antonopoulos is alleged to have lied to the Australian Senate by claiming that 2 billion unbanked were at Australia's doorstep. Continue reading
CEO Of Bitcoin Exchange Killed In Thailand
Independent Reserve CEO Adam Tepper has died as a result of a motorbike accident in Thailand. Tepper, who is alleged to have not been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, either struck his head on a street sign early Thursday morning according to the Phuket Gazette1 or slammed into a parked trailer Wednesday night as reported by the mainstream Australian television network 7News. Captain Thada Sodarak of the Chalong Police said: Continue reading
Another Thai news outlet confirms that Tepper hit a pole and was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, not Thalang Hospital as claimed by 7News. ↩
Australian Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty
An Australian man, who was a member of the Rebels MC at the time of his arrest, today plead guilty to charges of drug trafficking after he was arrested in 2014 for the importation of MDMA, cocaine and amphetamines despite the drugs being intercepted by police in the Australian states of Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Continue reading