Beach mansion, Benz and Bitcoin worth $4.5m seized from League of Legends hacker Shane Stephen Duffy
Luxury assets worth more than $4.5 million have been forfeited after being linked to a previously convicted Queensland hacker.
The haul, including a beachfront mansion, a 2019 black Mercedes-Benz sedan, and nearly 25 Bitcoin, was seized in April following a years-long investigation into stolen cryptocurrency and cyber hacking.
The AFP -led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) secured the forfeiture under proceeds of crime laws, arguing the assets were not in line with any identifiable legitimate income.
The assets were linked to Shane Stephen Duffy, a 32-year-old man from Queensland.
He had been previously convicted of hacking Riot Games, the US-based gaming company behind the hit video game League of Legends.
The CACT investigation began in 2018 after AUSTRAC was tipped off by authorities in Luxembourg about suspicious Bitcoin transactions.
Investigators suspect Duffy stole 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange in 2013, now worth about $150 million.
While no criminal charges were laid in relation to the alleged theft, the CACT was able to restrain the suspected proceeds of crime under federal laws, even without a related prosecution.
Authorities secured restraining orders over the assets in 2019, and they were officially forfeited in April.
The seized waterfront home, purchased in 2018 for $1.1 million and held in Duffy's mother's name, is now estimated to be worth about $2 million.
Money from the eventual sale will go into a special fund that supports crime prevention and law enforcement initiatives.
AFP Commander Jason Kennedy said stripping criminals of their profits was a key strategy in disrupting cybercrime networks.
'The Proceeds of Crime Act provides law enforcement agencies with unique powers to restrain and forfeit instruments and proceeds of crime,' Kennedy said.
'Criminals are driven by greed at the expense of honest Australians and businesses who are losing their hard-earned money to cyber criminals.
'The profits derived from criminal activities are also often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with our partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure they are re-invested in the community.'
Court documents show Duffy made more than $32,000 in 2013 by selling access to inactive League of Legends accounts.
He also hacked the Twitter account of Riot Games president Marc Merrill to promote his operation and allegedly teamed up with another hacker to disconnect players during matches.
Duffy sent threatening emails to the company, which reported financial losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court in 2016 and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail, to be served on immediate parole.
His lawyer told the court the self-taught hacker had autism and had a difficult childhood.
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Thamarrurr Development Corporation representing Wangga, Lirrga, Wulthirri and Tharnpa peoples confirmed in a statement he was a "much loved and respected senior man, who was a mentor to us all". "A great visionary and educator, a campaigner for a better life for his community and a respected leader, he will be greatly missed." TN was a champion for bilingual education and had produced children's books in local tribal language. In 2007 he took part in a racial discrimination action in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission arguing Wadeye children received less than half the school funding received by other NT children. Then-federal education minister Peter Garrett announced the community would get a $7.7 million funding package in exchange for dropping its complaint. Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan said TN, who had been a council member, was a "quiet achiever" whose legacy would live on. "My heart goes out to his loved ones and all mob across the Wadeye and Darwin Daly regions." Opposition leader Selena Uibo said TN's loss would be "be felt deeply across the territory". "He was a respected and strong leader - valued for the guidance he provided to those he worked alongside and the outcomes he helped deliver for his community," Ms Uibo said. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government recognised the "pain and grief being felt" and her thoughts were with the man's family and loved ones. Catholic Bishop of Darwin Charles Gauci said he had known TN for many years and he was "deeply saddened at his death". "I was able to accompany him on the last day of his life, I was in the hospital with his wife and family and to pray with him and to be there with them, walking with them at this very significant time," he told the ABC. "He believed in education as empowerment and he was an educator for many years himself. 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"He believed in education as empowerment and he was an educator for many years himself. "He was co-principal at the school at Wadeye and really contributed deeply and widely there for the education of young people." NT Police will prepare a report for the coroner. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
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"I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. 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Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30.
