logo
Police Seize 2 Ferraris, 2 Lamborghinis, 7 BMWs and a McLaren from Pharmacist in Fraud Investigation

Police Seize 2 Ferraris, 2 Lamborghinis, 7 BMWs and a McLaren from Pharmacist in Fraud Investigation

Yahoo27-05-2025

An Australian pharmacist has seen a dozen cars seized, including multiple supercars, as part of an investigation into allegedly making millions of dollars by filing false claims. According to the Australian Federal Police, the man made the false claims for nearly a decade, and a result is believed to have taken in $6.5 million (USD) in illegitimate earnings.
Authorities say the 58-year-old man is accused of making false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme between 2014 and 2023. The proceeds from these claims may have played a role in allowing the man to live a lavish lifestyle, authorities allege, including a mansion and a 12-car collection that included seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis and a McLaren.
The pharmacist wasn't buying old Ferrari Mondials or Lamborghini Urracos, either. Police photos of the seized cars show that the Lamborghinis are both Aventadors; one is an LP 780-4 Ultimae and the other an Aventador SVJ. The Ferraris are both 488 models, with one of them being a Spider and the other being a Pista. The McLaren is an MSO-spec 765 LT. The BMWs, in turn, appear to include late-model examples of the 2 Series, 7 Series and M3. The man has been charged with two counts of dealing in proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more, and penalties for these charges can be up to 25 years in prison. He is also facing two counts of dishonesty causing a loss to the Commonwealth, these carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
If the man is convicted, his car collection will be liquidated by the Australian Financial Security Authority and the proceeds would go to programs that support crime prevention. A sensible use of the funds... although we can't help but think a Lamborghini LP 780-4 Ultimae wearing Australian Federal Police livery patrolling the highways would be a great way to one-up the Florida Highway Patrol's C8 Corvette cop car.You Might Also Like
You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox
Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners
The Man Who Signs Every Car

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Qantas Tests A321XLR's Limits with Historic Nonstop Flight to Bangkok
Qantas Tests A321XLR's Limits with Historic Nonstop Flight to Bangkok

Skift

time26 minutes ago

  • Skift

Qantas Tests A321XLR's Limits with Historic Nonstop Flight to Bangkok

Qantas is turning an aircraft delivery into a marketing moment for the Airbus A321XLR. While the record-setting flight grabs headlines, the bigger story is how single-aisle jets are reshaping long-haul route planning. Flight QF6041 isn't your regular Monday morning departure from Hamburg. As of 2 p.m. CET (8 a.m. ET), the aircraft is flying over Turkmenistan, and on course to make aviation history. Qantas being the operator of the new plane is a big clue about Monday's mission. The Australian flag carrier took delivery of the jet last week, and is now flying the plane back to the airline's HQ. The distance from the Airbus factory in Hamburg to Sydney is more than 9,000 nautical miles. A regular delivery flight for a single-aisle aircraft would typically include between two and four refuelling and crew-rest stops en route. But QF6041 is no ordinary aircraft. Qantas is accepting its first Airbus A321XLR – that's Xtra Long Range – and it plans to showcase its performance on the delivery flight Down Under. The aircraft is due to fly from Hamburg to Bangkok nonstop. If realized, this will be the longest A321XLR flight operated by a commercial airline. Qantas estimates the journey will cover more than 5,000 nautical miles. After a turnaround in the Thai capital, the XLR will continue from Bangkok to Sydney, with this second leg clocking in at around 4,000 nautical miles. If all goes to plan, the XLR, named 'Great Ocean Road,' will touch down in Sydney just after 10a.m. local time (8 p.m ET) on Wednesday morning. The total journey is due to take 42 hours, of which 21 hours will be in the air. Thousands are following the plane's progress on live flight-tracking websites such as Flightradar24. Qantas Pushes the Envelope While impressive, the historic flight is not entirely representative. The plane is not carrying any paying passengers or cargo. This makes the aircraft much lighter than normal and increases its overall range. Airbus' marketing materials say the A321XLR can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles 'in typical airline service.' Airlines tend to be more conservative about an aircraft's performance, taking in additional practical considerations on a route-by-route basis. This was highlighted by JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty at the Skift Global Forum last September. On the topic of destination targets for JetBlue's own fleet of A321XLRs, she cautioned: '[The range] is from the aircraft manufacturer, and you have to keep in mind that airlines always do their own studies to make sure that's accurate and sometimes it's not.' Despite New York JFK to Rome being within the official range of the A321XLR, Geraghty added: 'I'm not sure the XLR would actually make it to Rome with the level or reliability we would need. It's tougher to fly back in the wintertime and we don't want to have a technical stop to get gas over the Atlantic.' What's Next for Qantas and the XLR? Qantas is the latest big-name airline to switch from Boeing to Airbus for its next generation of planes. Despite huge retraining and operational complexities, the carrier is betting that the short-term pain will pay off handsomely. Monday's delivery flight is the first of an initial batch of 28 XLRs. These are planned to be direct replacements for Qantas' existing Boeing 737s. These previous-generation jets are due to leave the Qantas fleet over the next decade. Operating in one of the world's largest, yet least densely populated countries, Qantas is likely to feel the benefits of the XLR's improved range. It can fly around 1,500 nautical miles further than the outgoing 737s. The airline has highlighted Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands as possible new markets for the narrowbody jet. First Look Inside Qantas' New 'Xtra Long Range' Plane Qantas is the latest big-name airline to switch from Boeing to Airbus for its next generation of planes. Despite huge retraining and operational complexities, the carrier is betting that the short-term pain will pay off handsomely. Read More Despite being a replacement for the 737, the XLR is five meters (16.5 feet) longer than the Boeing jets. The larger plane can seat 197 passengers – an increase of 13% in overall capacity – with the amount of space between economy seats unchanged at 30 inches. In line with global industry trends, Qantas is using the new plane to boost the number of premium options. The XLR will have 20 business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, representing a 66% increase on earlier models. The upscale seats will have a pitch of 37 inches and offer a five-inch recline. Other perks include a wireless charging pad, an extendable cocktail table, and adjustable calf-rest and footrest. Qantas will be the type's first operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The XLR is already in service with Iberia and Aer Lingus who use it to fly nonstop from Europe deep into the U.S. Ultra low-cost carrier Wizz Air is also due to start flying the jet between Hungary and India, and from the UK to Saudi Arabia. Other future operators include Air Canada, American Airlines, and IndiGo. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

Blue Earth Summit highlights regenerative wool's climate potential
Blue Earth Summit highlights regenerative wool's climate potential

Yahoo

time30 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Blue Earth Summit highlights regenerative wool's climate potential

The discussion titled 'Circular by Nature – Rethinking Innovation in Natural Fibres' was held at the London Climate Action Week. It centred on the tangible benefits of wool, supported by evidence-based land management practices, innovative product development, and circular design principles. The panel, moderated by Amy Nguyen, featured participants including Clare Cannon, a Merino woolgrower from 'Woomargama Station' in Australia; Chris Gaffney, CEO of Johnsons of Elgin; Amy Powney, creative director and founder at AKYN; and Elisabeth van Delden, sustainability manager for Europe at Woolmark. The panellists emphasised the need for increased cooperation across the sector and promoted regenerative wool as a beneficial solution for the environment. Central to this conversation was the Woolmark+ roadmap, which outlines a strategy for incorporating wool into sustainable fashion models. This framework focuses on enhancing nature-positive production, establishing wool as a preferred circular fibre, and fostering prosperous rural communities. Australian woolgrower Clare Cannon provided insights into the positive ecological effects of regenerative grazing on her farm, including the resurgence of endangered bird species and native vegetation. 'Our expertise isn't theoretical; it's grounded in day-to-day realities. We have implemented practical strategies for preserving biodiversity, improving soil health, and reducing emissions as we journey towards nature positive. These are not buzzwords for us but part of our innate identity as stewards of the land,' Cannon stated. Gaffney discussed how continuous innovation is essential for maintaining the longevity of brands. 'You don't become a heritage brand without constantly innovating,' he said. van Delden highlighted current global carbon accounting methods prioritise carbon emissions and neglect factors such as water management, biodiversity and soil health. 'Woolmark+ helps bridge the gap between real on-farm outcomes and the growing demand from brands and investors for measurable impact. Whether it's decarbonisation, biodiversity uplift, or material circularity - the roadmap offers a science-led, scalable way to integrate wool into strategies focused on risk reduction, resilience, and long-term value creation,' she said. In November 2024, the Australian Government allocated A$4m ($2.6m) to support Woolmark's new Australian Wool Industry Insetting Programme, which is designed to lower emissions within the textile supply chain. "Blue Earth Summit highlights regenerative wool's climate potential" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

Burkina Faso mine delivers first gold pour as Australian firm hits milestone
Burkina Faso mine delivers first gold pour as Australian firm hits milestone

Business Insider

time39 minutes ago

  • Business Insider

Burkina Faso mine delivers first gold pour as Australian firm hits milestone

West African Resources has achieved a major milestone at its Kiaka gold project in Burkina Faso, successfully producing its first gold bar measuring 5.7 kilograms, or approximately 183.3 ounces—during an on-site smelting process. West African Resources achieved its first gold bar production at its Kiaka project in Burkina Faso. The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, indicating strong operational efficiency. Burkina Faso has implemented mining reforms to enhance state control and economic benefits. The Australian-listed company confirmed the development came ahead of schedule and under budget, marking a strong start to what is projected to become one of the region's most significant gold operations. According to Miningmx, West African Resources Executive Chairman Richard Hyde described the first gold pour from the Kiaka mine as ' a major milestone ' in the company's goal to produce over 500,000 ounces of gold annually by 2030. ' First gold comes just three and a half years after the acquisition of Kiaka, which is a remarkable achievement,' Hyde said, expressing gratitude to the construction team, financial partners Sprott and Coris Bank, as well as contractors and stakeholders for their contributions. In November 2021, West African acquired a 90% stake in the Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso from B2Gold Corp and its partner, GAMS-Mining F&I. The remaining 10% is held by the Government of Burkina Faso. The company completed construction at the site during the second quarter of 2025, keeping pace with its aggressive project timeline. The inaugural gold pour not only signals the operational readiness of the Kiaka mine but also reflects investor confidence in West African Resources' ability to deliver in one of Africa's most promising, yet geopolitically complex, mining jurisdictions. Burkina Faso's move to secure gold and raise revenue Burkina Faso is reshaping its gold sector through sweeping reforms aimed at increasing state control, boosting revenues, and ensuring that more benefits stay within the country. Gold is central to the nation's economy, accounting for around 80% of export earnings and nearly 14% of GDP. However, much of this value has historically escaped government capture due to foreign ownership, weak regulation, and illicit exports. In July 2024, the government revised its mining code to raise the state's free equity in new projects from 10% to 15%, with an option to acquire an additional 15%. It also mandated greater Burkinabè ownership and shortened permit durations to strengthen oversight. Companies are now required to contribute to national gold and mining development funds, as well as process part of their output domestically to retain more value in-country. The state has also taken over several major mines through SOPAMIB, a new state-owned company, consolidating national control of key gold assets. Additionally, a national gold refinery is being built in Ouagadougou to reduce reliance on foreign processing and improve export transparency. Small-scale export permits have been temporarily suspended to curb illegal trade.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store