[urlhttp://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/tax-tsars-son-charged-over-alleged-scam-that-netted-100-million/news-story/1b4718556b3f704566b498c78eb09d0b][/url]

THE high-flying son of an Australian Australian Taxation Office boss was yesterday arrested over his alleged role in a fraud syndicate that police claim stole more than $165 million — one of the biggest white-collar crimes in Australia’s history.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Australian Federal Police yesterday arrested Adam Cranston at his Bondi flat in one of 27 raids on homes and businesses across Sydney.


Adam Cranston, son of ATO boss Michael Cranston, is arrested at his Bondi flat yesterday over his role a $165 million fraud syndicate. Picture: Police Media
Cranston was charged last night with conspiracy to ­defraud the commonwealth and is expected to face Central Local Court today.

It’s understood eight others were arrested and facing possible charges.

The 30-year-old Cranston is the son of ATO deputy commissioner Michael Cranston, but there is no suggestion Michael Cranston had any involvement in or ­knowledge of the criminal syndicate.



Sources close to the investigation claim Adam was a “co-conspirator” in a group that used an elaborate tax scam to fund a celebrity lifestyle that included prime Sydney real estate, boats — and even a racing car team.

“This investigation has ­uncovered high-level organised activity; it is complex (and) sophisticated,” the source last night told The Daily Telegraph.



“I think it will take the police a long time to figure out exactly how much money (is involved).”

It is believed police will ­allege the fraud is one of the largest ever seen in Australia.

Investigators allege Sydney financial services firm SYNEP, of which Adam is co-chairman and managing ­director, was part of the ­operation.


There is no suggestion ATO Deputy Commissioner Michael Cranston had any involvement in the alleged scam.

Adam Cranston is escorted from the scene at Bondi yesterday. Picture: Police Media.
Payroll contractor Plutus Payroll, controlled by SYNEP, was the centrepiece of the ­alleged hustle.

Police will claim it would allegedly funnel wage payments through a series of “second tier” companies. who then paid the ATO only a fraction of the required income tax.

The remaining withheld tax would then allegedly flow into the pockets of syndicate operators.

The scammers believed they had struck a sweet spot where each individual fraud was too small to prompt ­action from the ATO.

One source said it was “like saying to your schoolteacher, ‘I’ve done most of my homework, I’ll bring the rest next week’.”

The net tightened when both the AFP and ATO ­noticed alleged discrepancies in parallel investigations.

Are ANY of our politicians or senior public servants honest??????????

No wonder the country is stuffed

They all have their noses buried sooo deep, that they are evolving with breathing holes in their backs.

HANG BOTH OF THEM

lee wrote on May 18^th, 2017 at 8:01pm:


Have you ever dealt with a senior public servant?

The general run of the mill pleb public servant is generally OK
As long as he has not got a big head.

But senior public servants, politicians and lobbyists are just grubberment paid criminals.

A pox on them all.
I sincerly hope there is a hell, and they all suffer for eternity.

Love how the pollies are saying  the system  works and we will  catch you.

Does that mean they  are going  to  allow the federal  police powers to investigate  politicians?

Malcom  ? Shorten? Suddenly  they go quiet.

If your  a politician  in this country  you can rort  ( and they do )billions  and be fearless  in that no police can eva touch you.

Francis wrote on May 18^th, 2017 at 11:19pm:



what have politicians got to do with this francis????..

he accessed private information at his sons request   two other members of his office have also been stood down for the same thing without pay

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 12:03pm:



thats what I asked... a car  racing team REALLY!!!

   I didnt know the son worked at the ATO...job for the boys probably.. what about the daughter?????..

it doesnt get any closer to the top than this really does it..

this man went after other people   and the BIGGEST WHITE COLLAR FRAUD EVER IN THIS COUNTRY is happening on his own doorstep..

did they all walk around with blinkers on..


nah! theres more to this for sure.

Unforgiven wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 12:56pm:


Rhino?

Just as well we have you. And your paint by numbers mentality.

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 12:03pm:



his work? He ran a company that did some bullsh1t job and made good money ... you think he gave his father enough specifics about every aspect of what the company did so that the father could make some informed decision?

I know my father has no idea where my money comes from. He knows what industry I'm in, but he couldn't tell you exactly what I do. He knows I've never needed to borrow money off him and he knows my house has been paid off, but apart from that he has no idea of exactly how much money I make. As far as he is concerned as long as I'm happy and not in any trouble, it's irrelevant to him and he doesn't want to know.

you still seeking daddys approval that you need to tell him all the details?

Aussie wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 4:26pm:


My money is on daddy being either involved or in charge,

After all, who would know better how to rort the tax office?

They should confiscate all property from boy and daddy.
Clean out their bank accounts and sack them with no penson or super.
Thats how proceeds of crime legislation is supposed to work aint it?

But what will happen will be
Daddy found falt free and in a few months will retire on his wonderful six figure pension.
Boyo will do a plea deal and "maybe" serve a few months or years before appeal.
Us, the public, will be fed bull shite and expected to wear it.

Thats the GRUBBERMENT for ya

Valkie wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 5:40pm:


if daddy is found be be involved, sure .... leave them skint.

Why did Daddy not ask said Son why he wanted to know if the ATO was auditing 'ABC Bling?'

John Smith wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 6:50pm:


They were ATO contracts... so again yes.

You blokes have 'confused' me.  Did the Son work for the ATO?

I don't think that has been reported in the schmedia.

None of the stories I have seen say there were ATO contracts either.

Gnads wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 7:21pm:


were they? I must have missed that bit. Can you show where you got that?

Aussie wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 7:07pm:


why would he?  he might give him some advance warning of a pending audit if he knew it was happening (or when he knew), but why ask about an audit that's not happening?

John Smith wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 8:39pm:


Why did Daddy allegedly answer?

Was 'ABC whatever Pty Ltd'  being audited by the ATO.

Interesting brief on who is involved in the scandal.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-19/ato-fraud-tax-case-who-is-who-of-alleged-c...

Aussie wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 9:15pm:


ahh ... that's what you were on about. I wasn't aware of it

Maybe his dad understood that EVERYONE worries about audits. They're time consuming, they're a royal pain in the arse and even if you've done nothing wrong you always have the 'what if I made a mistake' question hanging in the back of your mind.

John Smith wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 9:18pm:


Okay....but Daddy is supposed to keep his mouth shut on those things.......no matter who asks.

Come on!

Why did Son ask?

Why did Daddy answer?

John Smith wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 9:37pm:


Ah....and the penny finally drops.  What else did he do for his kids given his position?

Aussie wrote on May 19^th, 2017 at 9:50pm:


there are some things I'd do for my kids Aussies, but there are also limits on what I'd do. I would never assist any of my boys in scamming millions of dollars fraudulently. In fact, I'd probably report them.

Now put back my post in the other thread you dickhead.

Skimming payroll tax into 2nd tier companies with straw directors.

Surely Daddy should have been suspicious of the over lavish lifestyle & expenditure?

cods wrote on May 20^th, 2017 at 8:14am:


how do you know how sudden it was?

John Smith wrote on May 20^th, 2017 at 9:30am:




well it was last year....he became owner of  his own racing team....I mean   suddenly is just a word...

it mean he had all this spare money...duh!

Gnads wrote on May 20^th, 2017 at 8:05am:



I thought I read they weren't paying income tax to the ATO.... could be payroll tax....

Valkie wrote on May 20^th, 2017 at 6:45pm:


Ain't karma a beach?

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on May 20^th, 2017 at 7:33pm:


thats right  maybe they were disappearing employees isnt that how payroll tax works.. by how many work for the business....

it all seems really weird  but the son knew he was being audited   and thats what got daddy involved....daddy would have know what it meant by and audit.... .. meaning they were suspicious.. meaning his boy was doing something not quite lawful.

as a dad I would have been  asking some very hard/tough questions....

So the company rip off - withheld PAYG tax from Payees.  Gee... and they did this for 165 million dollars before the house of cards crumble?  There have to be some kind of inside 'adjustment' going on.