Man charged with murder after woman fatally stabbed in western Sydney
NSW Police said emergency services were called to a unit on Hemphill Ave in Mount Pritchard at about 5.05pm on Sunday, 'following reports a woman was located with stab wounds to her chest'.
The 62-year-old woman was treated by paramedics, but died at the scene.
A 28-year-old man, who police say was known to the woman, was arrested at the scene.
He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and has since been charged with murder (domestic violence).
Fairfield City detectives have commenced an investigation alongside the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad and a crime scene has been established.
The 28-year-old was refused bail and is due to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Monday.
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ABC News
30 minutes ago
- ABC News
The Chinese blessing scam becoming more prominent in Australia as FIFO operators re-emerge
It all starts with a simple plea for help, a friendly conversation and a promise of healing. But behind the emotional theatre lies one of the world's most enduring street cons — the Chinese blessing scam, and it's operating in broad daylight in Australian suburbs. For decades, this scam has targeted vulnerable Chinese people across the world, preying on spiritual beliefs, cultural kinship and concern for their family. Grace, not her real name, fell for it when she was told her son was at great risk of losing his life. In tears and frightened she succumbed to the scam. Since the 1980s millions of dollars have been stolen worldwide through the practice. In Sydney alone, police allege $3 million has been fleeced in over 80 reported cases since mid-2023. Victoria Police claim $200,000 was stolen using this scam in 2024. 7.30 can reveal NSW Police are working with interstate police and authorities in New Zealand as part of ongoing investigations into Chinese blessing scams. Strike Force Sentinel, established earlier this year, has so far arrested and charged two people. Police say one member of the group is in custody, in NZ. Police have released images of seven individuals wanted on warrants in connection with the alleged scams and have obtained further warrants against two individuals allegedly involved in an incident at Eastwood, in Sydney's north-west, in 2024. NSW Police told 7.30 that all nine suspects are believed to be overseas. The scam follows a script: First the victim is approached by strangers who warn of an imminent threat to their family and offer a ritual blessing to dispel the curse. They're then persuaded to hand over valuables in a bag — which are then swapped for junk during a ceremony — and told not to open the bag or risk undoing the ritual. Victims only realise they have been scammed after the offenders disappear. Dr Sharon Kwok is a lecturer in criminology at the University of Western Sydney and told 7.30 the scam was common in China's southern regions of Guangdong and Fujian, which are typically more religious. The scam exploits traditional beliefs where misfortune is blamed on ghosts and curses, and spiritual rituals are performed to dispel bad luck. Valuable items, such as money and jewellery, are commonly offered during traditional worship ceremonies to ensure good fortune and protection for one's family. "Normally older generations tend to have that kind of traditional, cultural belief," Dr Kwok explained. Compared to younger generations who possess the skills to work and engage with mainstream society, senior migrants who left their countries later in their lives can be profoundly isolated once they migrate to the new country. "[Older migrants] come to Australia to reunite with their sons or daughters, often the family's only child, yet their life after migration offers them few choices," Dr Kwok said. This isolation creates a fertile ground for exploitation. As Chinese migration accelerated during the 80s and 90s, scammers also moved their operations abroad with cases reported in Hong Kong, San Francisco, Canada, the UK and Australia The con has re-emerged across Sydney and Melbourne since 2023, with both Victorian and NSW police issuing arrest warrants against alleged blessing scammers. "They're best described as FIFO criminals. They're organised criminals that fly in for short periods of time, on up to 20 occasions over two years, and fly out," Detective Superintendent Guy Magee told a press conference in early July, after two arrests were made. Dr Kwok says policing the scammers is difficult because the scam deals with untraceable valuables, mostly cash and jewellery. With large sums of money involved, these syndicates could also rely on underground banking networks within Australia to launder the illicit funds, she says. According to Dr Kwok, the fraudsters begin the con with online research, seeking out neighbourhoods with dense Chinese populations. They then conduct 'field work' to identify places where elderly Chinese congregate, such as Chinese grocery stores, clinics and herbal medicine shops, where they can collect intelligence from potential victims. "That person's coming out from the clinic, then from the herbalist. That's very likely that the elder is not very healthy or maybe suffering some sort of health problem. That helps them to plan the plot," Dr Kwok said. "They (scammers) will say your son will be dying in three days, so it has to be something very threatening, because that will project fear. Grace became a target for this scam in part due to her health concerns. "I was seeking medical treatment at the time. I thought I'd get the doctor's card, so I followed along," she recalled. "You have high blood pressure and heart issues, but you can't seem to find out why through regular medical examinations, right?" one of the scammers asked Grace. Grace nodded. She was baffled at how they knew her medical history. The scammer told her the healer had a magical mirror that "could see everything". Then, the swindler announced that a ghost was hunting her son: "He will have a car accident within three days. You must find a way to save him." Grace's son was due to drive from Queensland the very next day. Convinced and desperate, she gathered all her cash and jewellery into a bag and handed it over for the so-called blessing ritual. During the ceremony, the scammer commanded her to look into their eyes. Amid the ritualised gestures, her bag of valuables was swapped. When her son returned home safe, she opened the bag, only to find a bottle of water and some rice. She reported the crime to the police with the help of a translator. "Many people feel ashamed after being scammed. They never tell anyone about it … most don't want to report to police," Grace told 7.30. NSW Police believe the number of victims impacted is double what has been reported. "I really do call on those victims that feel embarrassed or shamed ... please don't be, come forward, let us stand alongside you," Detective Magee said in July. The Chinese Australian Services Society (CASS) is one of the few settlement services in Sydney supporting senior migrants, and often times the first point of contact for many victims. CASS' Senior Executive Officer Jane Lu says the organisation has seen an increase in senior members being targeted since late last year. "I do think the cases are under-reported," she said, adding that the reasons could be a combination of the well-designed nature of the crime and traditional culture. CASS's case workers have been a lifeline for many victims, helping them take the difficult step of reporting their cases to the police. Yet their capacity is stretched thin, with just two and a half government-funded staff members assisting every police referral, all while providing essential settlement services. Ms Lu believes that one way to address these challenges is by empowering volunteers within the same community to support and assist each other. Over the years, CASS has trained more than 400 volunteers and over 30 activity groups were developed to help connect senior migrants with physical and social activities, such as English learning, calligraphy writing, games, fitness and dancing. UNSW research in 2022 found that older Chinese migrants are motivated to become self-reliant, and that the volunteer model developed by CASS over 40 years is a supporting structure for volunteers when they struggle. "It creates a safe space for them to meet new people, to tell friends they can trust, and to confide their troubles," Ms Lu said. She encourages local governments to reach out and provide resources for senior members of CALD communities. "Councils have a big role to play, for example, to provide some space for our volunteers to run their activities," Ms Lu said. While NSW police have issued warning leaflets in Chinese and English, Ms Lu wants more in-language education to be distributed in hot spots and letter boxes. Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Former judge loses uni job after allegedly inadvertently showing child abuse images during lecture
An ex-judge accused of inadvertently showing child abuse images during a lecture for law students has been fired from the university. Former Fair Work Commission senior deputy president Alan Boulton, 74, allegedly displayed the content in the final 15 minutes of a lecture at Monash University on February 5. Victoria Police was alerted, leading officers to seize electronic devices during a search of Mr Boulton's Middle Park home about one week later. Police revealed last week that he had been charged with one count of possessing child abuse material as a Commonwealth offence and two counts of possessing child abuse material. A Victoria Police spokesperson said Mr Boulton was charged following a 'lengthy investigation'. Detectives also travelled to Sydney where they searched a second property, with the assistance of NSW Police on February 13. 'Further electronic devices were located and the investigation into those devices remains ongoing,' police said. Mr Boulton is due to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Following the alleged incident, he was immediately suspended from his role as a senior fellow at the university and removed from all teaching duties. He was also directed not to communicate with students or staff or access the university premises. 'Monash University was made aware of concerns relating to an incident in February 2025 and referred the matter to Victoria Police,' a university spokesperson said in a statement. 'We continue to support the ongoing investigation … the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and broader community remains our highest priority.' The university has also deleted a page about Mr Boulton from its website. After graduating with a law degree, Mr Boulton worked as a solicitor and then a lecturer at Australian National University. In 1979, he became the first full-time legal officer with the Australian Council of Trade Unions. He later held other positions in Australia and overseas, including senior deputy president of the Fair Work Commission and president of the Industrial Relations Commission of Victoria. He also worked at the International Labour Organisation. Mr Boulton was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2002 for 'distinguished service to industrial arbitration and labour relations at state and national level, to the Australian Defence Force, and to the development of labour policy and standards in the South East Asian region through the auspices of the International Labour Organisation'.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Man who threatened politicians online long sought care for autism, court told
A man who bombarded politicians with "extraordinary" threats and antisemitic messages was desperate for help and support for autism, his lawyers say. The Melbourne man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, formally pleaded guilty to sending threats to federal Liberal MP Julian Leeser and Victorian Labor MP Gabrielle Williams. The 33-year-old was charged after his home was raided by counterterrorism officers from the Australian Federal Police's (AFP) Special Operation Avalite on February 6. Police alleged he sent death threats and antisemitic messages to Mr Leeser, who is Jewish and represents the seat of Berowra in northern Sydney. The 33-year-old also twice sent "a threatening email via an online contact form" to Ms Williams, Victoria's transport minister, according to charge sheets. The incidents took place between January 13 and 31. On Tuesday, the man faced the Assessment and Referral Court in Melbourne, a jurisdiction of the magistrates' court that sees people who have underlying factors that contribute to their offending behaviours, such as autism. Details of the man's offending were not aired before Magistrate Vincent Caltabiano, however earlier this year another magistrate, Brett Sonnet, described the messages sent to the politicians as "extraordinary communications". On Tuesday, the court heard the man had agreed to a support plan and had been attending weekly appointments. "It's stuff I've needed for years," he told Magistrate Caltabiano. "It's bizarre it had to come this far. "Even if I do work, I can't afford rent and bills and a psychologist and food." Defence lawyer Jackson McLeod said his client had been "banging his head against a brick wall" trying to get support. "In a sense, it's coming too late," Mr McLeod said. Magistrate Caltabiano, who is yet to sentence the man, extended his bail until September. The offices of Mr Leeser and Ms Williams have been contacted for comment. During Tuesday's hearing, the man was repeatedly told by the magistrate to mind his language. While leaving the court precinct, he stuck his middle finger up at reporters and swore at them. In April, the man's legal team told the court he had been diagnosed with autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects the way people communicate and interact with others. Amaze, the Victorian peak body for people with autism, said at least one per cent of the population lives with the disorder. Previously, the man's legal team successfully applied for a suppression order preventing publication of his name until the end of the case, arguing his mental health would be in danger if his name was released to the media. During April's hearing, Magistrate Sonnet told the man that the suppression order would eventually be lifted. "These types of offences are becoming more prevalent and they're not uncommon," he said. "Threats and these types of communications are often received by politicians." The AFP said threats increased by 42 per cent in 2023-24 on the previous year, with more than 1000 reports of nuisance, harassment, and threatening communications. In a submission to the federal government last year, Amaze's chief executive David Tonge said there was evidence problematic internet use may be more prevalent in autistic people, but more research was needed. "There is also evidence that neurodivergent young people, including autistic young people, may be more involved in cyberbullying (as victims and perpetrators) compared to their typically developing peers," he wrote. "While best practice is yet to be established on how to best protect autistic people online, a multifaceted approach is clearly required. "It must include targeted information and resources for autistic people and their parents and carers (and for students and their teachers), as well as online safety mechanisms and regulatory measures."
