Australian Arrested In Thailand Charged With Multi Million Dollar Tax Avoidance Scheme

[webfact]

Australian arrested in Thailand charged with multi million dollar tax avoidance scheme

By Staff Reporter

HUA HIN: -- After twelve years of waiting for his day to come, alleged Australian tax fraudster, 53 year old Gregory John Dunn was arrested at his Hua Hin home, in Thailand, at the request of the Australian government this week, and is expected to face deportation to answer charges regarding his involvement in a tax evasion scheme, reported to involve up to 57 Million Dollars (au) ,offshore accounts, Swiss banks and serious fraud.

He is expected to be charged, at the least, with being a facilitator, a man who brought seriously wealthy Australians together with a team who specialised in tax evasion and who operated a scheme which was mirrored by many in the country.

Nationally the loss of tax is thought to add up to over 1.5 BILLION Dollars. This has been under investigation for the past 11 years by an operation known as “Project Wickenby”.

In the past Mr. Dunn has been quite open about his residence here and even gave interviews in which he explained his move to Hua Hin, where he built a home with his Asian wife and, according to his interview, he has been waiting for the knock at his door. Well now, it seems, that knock has come.

Since 2010, its reported that Mr. Dunn has contacted the Crime Commissioners to ask if he would be facing charges. Their reply “we are not in a position to answer your question regarding charges but we would like you to return to Australia to assist in our enquiries” has,to date, gone unanswered.

Mr. Dunn, if returned to Australia, will not be the first person to go on trial for similar charges and the schemes he is said to have been involved in are only a portion of the nationwide investigation.

Latest figure show that 62 people have already been charged with serious offences, 16 people convicted and 24 more investigations are still open. Nearly 2000 company and trust audits have been completed and a further 450 are still in progress. [more...]

Full story: http://www.pattaya103.com/greg-dunn-arrested-thailand/

--Pattaya 103 FM 2012-12-18

[webfact]

Australian arrested over tax charges

The Nation

HUA HIN: -- An Australian man wanted by authorities in Canberra for tax avoidance and money laundering was arrested yesterday in Hua Hin by the Crime Suppression Police.

Gregory John Dunn, 53, told police he was unaware of being wanted by the Australian authorities, who say he set up a stock-exchange firm with partners in Australia and then fled to avoid paying A$20 million in taxes.

-- The Nation 2012-12-18

[keith101]

all he has to is the same as alan bond . claim some kind of mental problem and say he cant remember anything and just get a few easy years at minimum security . an absolute joke that bondy got away with it when you saw him smile through his bs .

[goatfarmer]

Tax avoidance is not a crime.

[Michael Caine]

Tax avoidance is not a crime.

Indeed.

[kawaiimomo]

It is quite scary how the world is changing with so many countries without extradition treaties arresting and deporting people on demand.

Not that I'm on something illegal here or back home but, given time, these things will be easily applied to political refugees and the like.

[renrut salohcin]

Tax avoidance is not a crime.

Indeed.

But tax evasion is, and that's what is being alleged, despite the fact that tax avoidance was mentioned in the second report. I think the Australian authoritories understand the difference.

[dundas]

As someone still paying Australian taxes, I would support and expect an aggressive response from Australian tax authorities when tax evasion is suspected, which seems to be the case here. I'm just an ordinary tax payer, and I end up paying more when the rich evade their tax obligations.

[Colabamumbai]

White collar crime carries a very short sentence, unlike drugs and other offences. White collar criminals are respected the world over. I think we all see a part of ourselves in someone that can perpetrate a "Ponzi" or other such scam. Don't you wish it was you, come on now, just a little bit maybe.

[finnomick1]

Good idea I say

[TechnikaIII]

Tax avoidance is not a crime.

Indeed.

But tax evasion is, and that's what is being alleged, despite the fact that tax avoidance was mentioned in the second report. I think the Australian authoritories understand the difference.

And I hope he gets what he deserves. I have sat in on tax cases at the Magistrates Court in Melbourne, and seen huge penalties dished out for amounts of just a few thousand dollars. It would be a serious injustice to the entire community if he does not get a penalty, including prison sentence, commensurate with the scale of his crime.

Edited December 18, 2012 by TechnikaIII

[Michael Caine]

Tax avoidance is not a crime.

Indeed.

But tax evasion is, and that's what is being alleged, despite the fact that tax avoidance was mentioned in the second report. I think the Australian authoritories understand the difference.

Avoidance is fine. Evasion is not. Laundering is but points given if it smells nice.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Michael Caine

[ThaiTerry]

White collar crime carries a very short sentence, unlike drugs and other offences. White collar criminals are respected the world over. I think we all see a part of ourselves in someone that can perpetrate a "Ponzi" or other such scam. Don't you wish it was you, come on now, just a little bit maybe.

Yea right ask Bernie Madoff about short sentences.

[sandhurstmolonski]

This is far from an Open and Shut case , the Headline is really misleading . It will be a very diificult case to convict I believe , and in the past he has asked Authorities if he would be Charged and they could never answer him .

Well , lets justice take it Course , and lets see what the Court decides . But he in innocent until proven guilty , lets see if he has a Case to answer first .

The biggest white collar crooks in Australia , are walking the Streets freely ..and there are many of them ..high profile cases . Wish I could say more but Madai ..they are too powerful .

[sandhurstmolonski]

White collar crime carries a very short sentence, unlike drugs and other offences. White collar criminals are respected the world over. I think we all see a part of ourselves in someone that can perpetrate a "Ponzi" or other such scam. Don't you wish it was you, come on now, just a little bit maybe.

Yea right ask Bernie Madoff about short sentences.

Different Countries Mate ..And vastly different circumstances . One is called the USA , this is Australia .

Madoff , ran a " Lifetime " Ponzi scheme ... this guy appears to be involved in ..Who knows what ??

Allan Bond did 4 years . This Guy might do 2.5 years on the Prison farm , his true punishment maybe that he

cannot return to Thailand .

[rayw]

Great to read this story as I loathe these anti social greedy bastards. We are so quick to jump on the social security dodgers, poor but albeit lazy buggers who fiddle the tax payer, but hey if you took thousands of these social security fraudsters the loss to the tax payer would be tiny in comparison to what a handful of these wealthy greedy selfish fat cat fraudsters are getting away with.

Tax avoidance is indeed legal, but it is as totally anti social and deplorable to most folk, as many other far less damaging social behaviour problems we all jump on hard, like say leaving rubbish around, spitting, playing loud music in a residential area all night long etc for which those supporters of aggressive tax avoidance would be amongst the first to rightfully complain and demand police action. As I think our right wing PM in the UK said, (or was it the chancellor Osbourne) that aggressive tax avoidance was truly loathsome and socially deplorable and that changes in the tax laws are needed to close these intolerable tax loopholes. It is these very damaging tax avoidance schemes for the wealthy fat cats that rob the ordinary and poorer people (at least 90% of the population) by thus making them pay far more tax than should be needed and by taking away and reducing the benefits that genuine poor folk (many exploited with very low pay) really need.

Aggressive tax avoidance is indeed to 90% of folk totally unacceptable it seems based on most investigative reporting. Tax evasion is totally criminal and should be heavily punished as it usually is when they catch the bastards. Aggressive tax avoiders who cannot be prosecuted should none-the-less be very much named and shamed, so we can all treat them with the disdain and abhorrence they deserve, by say not buying their products or services any more for example. So just as we would treat other anti social behavioural folk too. So this is good news indeed to all of us normal straight ordinary working folk (and retirees of course too who have worked all their lives ) Oh and yes for sure I say the same even if I was wealthy and never ever moaned when I paid the 40% Super Tax rate in the UK at my not huge salary that took me a little way into that super tax bracket, as it was of course right and fair that I paid more than low paid hard working folk .

So yes it makes me very angry when I hear of these greedy spoilt brat tax dodgers, legal or illegal. Certainly I can and will say that the distribution of income tax liability in the UK ,if followed to the letter and the intentions of the tax laws is very fair and correct, though I believe there should still be a much higher income tax rate band too for those taking ridiculously high salaries way above what ANYBODY is worth.

That is my two pence worth so whether you personally agree or not, it is genuinely said with social fairness and common sense in mind and for no personal hidden agendas.

Edited December 18, 2012 by rayw

[antpet]

These people are the modern day scum that lead to all financial institutions being untrustworthy and a black hole for the hard working who risk investing.

I hope they jail him for donkey's years and throw the key.

Thieving scum.

[me313]

White collar crime carries a very short sentence, unlike drugs and other offences. White collar criminals are respected the world over. I think we all see a part of ourselves in someone that can perpetrate a "Ponzi" or other such scam. Don't you wish it was you, come on now, just a little bit maybe.

don't forget that Rape often carries no sentence because it's so rarely prosecuted fairly

[Teerak2]

Since 2010, its reported that Mr. Dunn has contacted the Crime Commissioners to ask if he would be facing charges.

Sounds like he's been living the dream inside the nightmare for quite some time now.

[Pimay1]

Tax avoidance is not a crime.

Evidently not just ask TS and his little sister.

[AloisAmrein]

Tax avoidance and money laundering is a crime, not only in Australia, also in the USA, in the EU and all other civilized countries. So it's good he has to return to Australia to face court charges.

[tropo]

White collar crime carries a very short sentence, unlike drugs and other offences. White collar criminals are respected the world over. I think we all see a part of ourselves in someone that can perpetrate a "Ponzi" or other such scam. Don't you wish it was you, come on now, just a little bit maybe.

You didn't read the full report. Last paragraph:

"A key player, a disgraced accountant, has implicated Mr. Dunn in the whole proceedings during his own trial, where he was sentenced to 3 years 3 months in jail, a lenient sentence following assistance given by him to the investigators"

That's not a short sentence and it was considered lenient.

Edited December 18, 2012 by tropo

[fred007]

With this Ausi heading home to face the music for tax avoidance and Thai Airways coughing up millions to the Ausi Government .I think the Tax Dept Christmas party is shaping up pretty well this year.No Sausage Sizzle this year boys??? More Like Cray Fish washed down with a drop of Penfold Grange seems to be in order .........Thank god for death and taxes i say

[Nickymaster]

As someone still paying Australian taxes, I would support and expect an aggressive response from Australian tax authorities when tax evasion is suspected, which seems to be the case here. I'm just an ordinary tax payer, and I end up paying more when the rich evade their tax obligations.

Are you Thai? You could be.. Only the Thais don't seem to care that the rich and politicians don't pay tax. They keep on voting for them.

just saying.

[dcsw53]

All he has to is the same as Alan Bond . claim some kind of mental problem and say he cant remember anything and just get a few easy years at minimum security . an absolute joke that bondy got away with it when you saw him smile through his bs .

But Bond does not hold the record. Some years ago Ernest Saunders who was chairman of Guiness was convicted in the UK of insider dealing of shares. Found guilty and sent to prison he then got early realease as he had developed Alzheimer's disease.

After release he became the only person in history to overcome Alzheimer's and went on to carve out a nice career on business lecture tours. Presumably speaking on "How to beat the system". Dunn ought to read his notes quick !

[Teerak2]

Great to read this story as I loathe these anti social greedy bastards. We are so quick to jump on the social security dodgers, poor but albeit lazy buggers who fiddle the tax payer, but hey if you took thousands of these social security fraudsters the loss to the tax payer would be tiny in comparison to what a handful of these wealthy greedy selfish fat cat fraudsters are getting away with.

Tax avoidance is indeed legal, but it is as totally anti social and deplorable to most folk, as many other far less damaging social behaviour problems we all jump on hard, like say leaving rubbish around, spitting, playing loud music in a residential area all night long etc for which those supporters of aggressive tax avoidance would be amongst the first to rightfully complain and demand police action. As I think our right wing PM in the UK said, (or was it the chancellor Osbourne) that aggressive tax avoidance was truly loathsome and socially deplorable and that changes in the tax laws are needed to close these intolerable tax loopholes. It is these very damaging tax avoidance schemes for the wealthy fat cats that rob the ordinary and poorer people (at least 90% of the population) by thus making them pay far more tax than should be needed and by taking away and reducing the benefits that genuine poor folk (many exploited with very low pay) really need.

Aggressive tax avoidance is indeed to 90% of folk totally unacceptable it seems based on most investigative reporting. Tax evasion is totally criminal and should be heavily punished as it usually is when they catch the bastards. Aggressive tax avoiders who cannot be prosecuted should none-the-less be very much named and shamed, so we can all treat them with the disdain and abhorrence they deserve, by say not buying their products or services any more for example. So just as we would treat other anti social behavioural folk too. So this is good news indeed to all of us normal straight ordinary working folk (and retirees of course too who have worked all their lives ) Oh and yes for sure I say the same even if I was wealthy and never ever moaned when I paid the 40% Super Tax rate in the UK at my not huge salary that took me a little way into that super tax bracket, as it was of course right and fair that I paid more than low paid hard working folk .

So yes it makes me very angry when I hear of these greedy spoilt brat tax dodgers, legal or illegal. Certainly I can and will say that the distribution of income tax liability in the UK ,if followed to the letter and the intentions of the tax laws is very fair and correct, though I believe there should still be a much higher income tax rate band too for those taking ridiculously high salaries way above what ANYBODY is worth.

That is my two pence worth so whether you personally agree or not, it is genuinely said with social fairness and common sense in mind and for no personal hidden agendas.

Agreed if things worked in theory, but I'm more sickened by mishandling of tax dollars by the government (those who are elected to represent the people's best interest and then who don't), in comaprison to those going to lengthy extremes to avoid paying it (when I say avoid, I mean legally) to those mentioned who then misappropriate it. If tax dollars were actually funneled into the places they were supposed to go/should go then it would be worth getting more upset over. Unfortunately, it seems greed only gets worse at the "top", but then again that is the mindset it often takes to get to the top. If only we lived in a perfect world, things would be so simple.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Teerak2

[quiuvo]

you are correct about tax evasion and tax avoidance for sure. We need not report what is best for the country but try to avoid all the taxes.

[techboy]

As someone still paying Australian taxes, I would support and expect an aggressive response from Australian tax authorities when tax evasion is suspected, which seems to be the case here. I'm just an ordinary tax payer, and I end up paying more when the rich evade their tax obligations.

In which case if you had the opportunity to evade paying your taxes without being caught I am certain that you would indignantly turn your back on such an unethical proposition.

[simple1]

With this Ausi heading home to face the music for tax avoidance and Thai Airways coughing up millions to the Ausi Government .I think the Tax Dept Christmas party is shaping up pretty well this year.No Sausage Sizzle this year boys??? More Like Cray Fish washed down with a drop of Penfold Grange seems to be in order .........Thank god for death and taxes i say

he is being extradited on tax evasion charges, not avoidance. Relates to a very long standing investigation by the ATO of many high nett worth individuals using sophisticated techniques for evading tax called Project Wickenby; info at

http://www.ato.gov.a...e=16#P675_21119

Edited December 18, 2012 by simple1

[hotandhumid]

These people are the modern day scum that lead to all financial institutions being untrustworthy and a black hole for the hard working who risk investing.

I hope they jail him for donkey's years and throw the key.

Thieving scum.

Ha ha ha. Here we go