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Isaiah Papali’i Wests Tigers backflip; Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall, team news, 2023 roster, Luke Brooks future

Isaiah Papali'i Wests Tigers backflip; Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall, team news, 2023 roster, Luke Brooks future

The Wests Tigers have been told to “win the war” over star recruit Isaiah Papali’i as the club faces a “massive moment” in its history.

The Eels enforcer was seen as a major coup when he inked a three-year $1.9 million deal in November.

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But the 23-year-old is reportedly weighing up his future after the Tigers parted ways with premiership winning coach Michael Maguire.

It is the first major challenge for the Tigers new coaching group of Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, one that could shape the immediate future of the embattled club.

Speaking on NRL360, the Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said it was vital that the club made sure Papali’i honored his lucrative contract.

“It’s no good the Wests Tigers having the new Sheens-Benji combination at the head of the club if they’re going to back down on something like this,” Rothfield said on Wednesday.

“It’s a crunch signing for them, as important as Api (Koroisau). They’ve got to stay strong.”

Papali’i was widely seen as one of the best new buys in the competition in 2021, as he was included in the Dally M Team of the Year after a stellar first season in blue and gold.

The talented forward played 25-games for the Eels last season, having scored seven tries, averaged 150 running meters per game, and made more than 800 tackles.

What’s more, his signature saw the Tigers part ways with the likes of Luke Garner and Luciano Leilua.

Isaiah Papali'i could backflip on his Tigers deal.
Isaiah Papali’i could backflip on his Tigers deal.Source: Getty Images

NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent said the saga surrounding Papali’i had seen the club reach a crossroads.

“It’s a massive moment in the club and the new future of the club, given the new appointment of the coaches,” he said.

Kent then questioned the re-signing of Brent Naden after the club announced this week he had inked an extension until the end of the 2025 season.

“If you’re going to go out and sell your club, Brent Naden is not the guy you’re going to go ‘look who we’ve just signed, come and play with us’,” Kent said.

“They’ve got to win the war of Papali’i first.”

Co-host Braith Anasta was also surprised by the Naden announcement and the club needed to identify what a Wests Tigers player represents.

“They’ve got the opportunity here, the Wests Tigers, and you see it with the Bulldogs at the moment, to start from the bottom up again,” Anasta said.

“They’ve got Sheens, they’ve got Marshall, great look, you want to attract players. You want to attract the right players from the start, set the tone.

“What sort of personality are you looking for? What sort of player do you want to be a Wests Tigers player? That’s what I’m talking about.”

Brent Naden signed an extension with the Tigers this week.Source: Getty Images

The Australian’s Brent Read said the Naden announcement, at a time where there is uncertainty surrounding a host of big-name Tigers stars, was not what fans wanted to see.

“He’s a tell me a dozen,” he said on NRL360.

“You know what the Wests Tigers fans want to hear about? They want to hear about (Adam) Doueihi, they want to hear about (Daine) Laurie, they want to hear about (Jackson) Hastings, they want to hear about (Luke) Brooks,” Read said.

“That’s what they care about. Brent Naden they can give or take, due respect to Brent Naden, but they want to hear what’s going on with those four blokes.”

Rothfield, however, said the club was right to lock Naden down.

“I think you’re being really unfair on that young fella, I really do,” he said.

“I think he’s a handy player,” Rothfield said. “You don’t let players go alright and handy players, you don’t not sign them.”

The drama surrounding the Tigers roster is unlikely to begin and end with Papali’i.

Luke Brooks has repeatedly been linked with a move to Newcastle despite denying he wants out.

Rumors about Luke Brooks’ future at the Tigers won’t go away.Source: Supplied

Fellow half Jackson Hastings’ future is also up in the air. The Sydney Morning Herald reported last month that Hastings, who has been playing lock, could be axed as part of a roster overhaul.

This report claimed there are people within the club who believe Hastings has had a negative influence on the playing group.

This week Rothfield then revealed another rumor surrounding Brooks which will do little to quell the feeling of uncertainty at Concord.

“There’s been all sorts of rumours,” he said.

“There was a strong one (Tuesday) that Luke Brooks was going to N and Frizell was coming to Wests Tigers as a swap. As an edge forward.

“Tim Sheens said it’s not happening but a lot of people saw it as insurance if Papali’i doesn’t come.”

Wests have also reportedly inquired about former Raiders second rower John Bateman, who is currently plying his trade back in England with Wigan.

The inquiry, as reported by Fox Sports’ James Hooper, is believed to be “unrelated to Isaiah Papali’i” and his contract drama.

“Tim’s got something going on cause I spoke to him this week, I asked him about Papali’i and he said ‘he’s coming and don’t worry there’s other stuff happening,” Read added.

“Edge backrower is an area that they need to address. He’d be a really handy one for them.”

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Sports

Brandon Smith’s sledge at Cameron Munster, Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers, video, highlights

Brandon Smith's sledge at Cameron Munster, Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers, video, highlights

Cameron Munster put on another masterclass at fullback on Thursday night in a 16-0 win over Penrith and earned plenty of praise, along with a cheeky dig, from teammate Brandon Smith.

speaking to Triple Mpost-game, Smith was at his hilarious best in what James Graham described as a “refreshing” interview from the Melbourne Storm forward.

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“He’s [Munster] as thick as pig s***,” Smith laughed.

“He’s the dumbest bloke in the world but when he gets on the field, he’s a genius. It’s outstanding. I’m glad I’m playing with him and not against him. He’s the most annoying bloke on planet earth but he’s one of my good mates so you’ve got to love him.”

As impressive as Munster was, Smith himself was key to the win, helping Melbourne dominate up front and allowing its playmakers to work their magic in the red zone.

Smith said that it was all part of the plan for the Storm, who had a relatively simple strategy for Thursday’s night game.

“Our whole game plan was to stay in the fight and let our superstars go and put the points on,” Smith said.

The Storm were able to put 16 on the board in the first half, although they could not breach the Panthers’ line in the second, restricted to just 37 per cent of the ball.

Storm sizzle poor Panthers | 02:01

The fact Melbourne was able to hold Penrith (55 tackles in opposition 20) scoreless would have certainly pleased coach Craig Bellamy though.

“I know he’ll be super happy with the zero on the Panthers’ board but still a lot of things we have to work on in attack,” Smith said.

“We had Nick Meaney and Cooper Johns partnering together I think for the first time with Munster at fullback.

“Munster and Justin Olam and Marion Seve, the two centers, deserve massive raps they were outstanding.”

Remembering Paul Green’s amazing career | 08:32

Smith was not just at his cheeky best post-game, also getting under Panthers front rower Spencer Leniu’s skin in the latter stages of the second half as the two sides briefly came together.

“I didn’t say anything,” Smith said of his exchange with Leniu.

“I just pushed him to let him know that… I think it was an accident but still, he hit me in the head and I wasn’t happy.”

“It still bought about 30 seconds off the clock,” he added, laughing, “that was pretty handy.”

“It was a tough game out there tonight. I don’t think I’ve come off the field with these many bumps and bruises.”

Brandon Smith scuffles with Spencer Leniu. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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Entertainment

Married mums have IVF ‘twins’ born four days apart

Married mums have IVF 'twins' born four days apart

A couple who announced both partners were expecting babies through IVF have given a glimpse into their family life just weeks after their children were born four days apart.

Aussie couple Laura and Suzie Francis-Mathers both gave birth in July, with Mackenzie Rose and Marlow Lachlan born on July 22 and 26 respectively.

The pair had previously announced they were expecting the children a month apart when taking to Instagram to share their news.

But baby Marlow decided to make his entrance into the world early as he “didn’t want to miss out on the fun”.

Now, as they settle into looking after the two new additions, the pair have taken the time on Laura’s birthday to thank everyone for the support through their journey.

“It’s Laura’s birthday today, which has been really lovely. We’ve had a family day celebrating with our two babies and Laura’s parents and brother, which has been really nice,” Suzie said.

Laura joked she had received a card and presents from their children and she didn’t want to brag but the duo were “pretty advanced”.

“It’s so nice writing Laura a card and not saying, ‘I hope this time next year we have bubbas,’ or, ‘This is our year,’ you know?” Suzie said.

“We’ve actually managed to make it, which feels very lovely.

“Happy birthday Mummy.”

It was the first major update since the announcement of the children’s arrival.

“We’re alive,” the pair joked at the start of the video.

Laura then thanked everyone for their kind messages following the announcement of the children’s births.

“We’re just taking a moment while the bubbas are asleep just over there, we thought it was a good moment to say thank you and check in. It’s been an amazing time,” she said.

Suzie jumped in to reveal the last few weeks since welcoming Mackenzie and Marlow had been a “whirlwind.”

The pair said they had been asked a lot about their birth stories and revealed they would have lots to share in the coming weeks about how it all went, describing the time as “pretty mad”.

“For now, we are just getting through the day-to-day and sleeping when we can but we’re doing pretty well,” Laura said.

The pair said they were proud of what they had achieved in the first few weeks of parenthood.

Earlier this year, the couple shared a video of when they both realized they had fallen pregnant.

After two years, six [IVF] rounds, 10 transfers, two chemical pregnancies and countless injections between us, there are many videos on our camera rolls that don’t look like this,” they wrote in the caption.

“It’s been a ‘journey’ as they say, that’s turned into an adventure we are so excited to be embarking upon.”

The video showed both Laura and Suzie finding out they’re pregnant with squeals of joy, and a few tears.

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Business

Evergrande investor Lin Ho Man takes collapsing company to court over $158m debt

Evergrande investor Lin Ho Man takes collapsing company to court over $158m debt

A young millennial is threatening the existence of a multi-billion dollar Chinese property developer.

In 2021, real estate heavyweight Evergrande earned the unwelcome title of the world’s most indebted real estate firm after racking up staggering debts of around $A408 billion.

Evergrande’s share price tanked and the firm missed a string of payment deadlines, which eventually saw it officially declared in default for the first time in December.

And now a young 30-year-old investor — who Bloomberg reported is “politically connected” — is taking the conglomerate on in the High Court of Hong Kong.

Lin Ho Man claims Evergrande owes him HK$862.5 million ($158 million) because of money he invested through his business.

He has applied for a winding up order, calling for the company to be wound up unless they cough up the funds to pay him back.

In order for Evergrande’s shares to be able to trade, Mr Lin’s lawsuit has to be resolved, either by being mediated to lead to dismissal, or for him to withdraw the case.

Although Evergrande has been in hot water with creditors and customers in recent months, nobody has reportedly gone as far as demanding the company be liquidated.

Mr Lin runs a fintech company called Top ShineGlobal which invested millions for a 0.46 per cent stake in Fangchebao, Evergrande’s automobile and real estate arm in March 2021.

Then Triumph Roc International, another one of Lin’s investment holding companies which he acted as guarantor for, invested the same amount for a separate 0.46 per cent stake.

Just a few months later, the extent of Evergrande’s financial woes became well-known.

Evergrande said it will oppose the legal case “vigorously” and added that this shouldn’t impact the company’s restructuring plans or timetable.

Mr Lin’s case has already had a preliminary hearing earlier in August and the next court session is happening later this month.

Evergrande, one of China’s biggest developers, has scrambled to offload assets in recent months, with chairman Hui Ka Yan paying off some of its debts using his personal wealth.

Its troubles are emblematic of the problems rippling across China’s massive property sector, with smaller companies also defaulting on loans and others struggling to raise cash.

Chinese creditors have sued Evergrande for more than $US13 billion in allegedly overdue payments, the Financial Times reports.

According to documents seen by the publication, a Chinese court has accepted a whopping 367 cases against Evergrande.

Insiders claiming it is one of the biggest indicators yet that local creditors have lost confidence in the firm’s ability to handle the ongoing crisis.

Shares in the company have been halted since March.

— With Alexis Carey

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Australia

Southeast rain band causes flood warnings in Victoria and NSW

Southeast rain band causes flood warnings in Victoria and NSW

Parts of NSW are preparing for the worst day of a rain band that is moving through the state, leading to renewed fears of flooding at inland rivers.

A cold front, associated with a low pressure system that moved through Western Australia, brought showers to western NSW from late Thursday and extended into eastern parts of the state on Friday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Friday was forecasted to be the wettest day of the rain event for most NSW regions, with inland rivers at an increased risk of flooding due to recent deluges in the area.

“This rainfall may cause widespread minor to moderate and possibly major flooding along inland NSW rivers, many of which experienced flooding due to the rainfall last week,” it wrote.

The bureau expects renewed flooding at multiple river catchments littered across the state on Friday, including a minor to major flooding for the Macquarie River downstream of Burrendong Dam.

The other 13 warnings were either minor or moderate in nature for parts of inland NSW, with up to 25-55mm of rain possible around the northwest and central west plains.

Widespread rain and possible storms are predicted until Saturday across the coast, with Sydney and Newcastle expected to experience a deluge on Friday, while it could last until Sunday for inland regions.

Last month was the wettest July on record for much of the NSW east coast, including Sydney, with rainfall around four to eight times higher than average.

Parts of Victoria are also being impacted by the east-coast deluge, with rain bucketing down since 9am on Thursday.

Mount Buffalo copped 51.6mm of rain in the last 24 hours, while Archerton experienced a 34.6mm soaking.

Rainfall totals have generally been 5-10mm across the state, but increased to around 15-25mm over the central ranges and 20-30mm in the northeast ranges.

Minor flood warnings are in place for parts of the Murray and Kiewa rivers.

The bureau’s climate outlook forecast is that rain will likely be above median for much of Australia over the coming fortnight but below median for parts of the tropics.

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Sports

Tennis news 2022: Nick Kyrgios defeats compatriot Alex de Minaur in straight sets

Tennis news 2022: Nick Kyrgios defeats compatriot Alex de Minaur in straight sets

Nick Kyrgios’ stunning purple patch has continued, with the Wimbledon runner-up comprehensively defeating compatriot Alex de Minaur in the Montreal Masters on Friday morning (AEST).

The Australian, currently sitting at No. 37 on the ATP rankings, topped his Davis Cup teammate in straight sets 6-2 6-3, securing victory in just 62 minutes.

Kyrgios was at his absolute best during the entertaining round of 16 contest, registering 22 winners and only nine unforced errors in front of a packed-out stadium.

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However, he carried on with constant backchat towards his players box, giving almost a running commentary of his state of mind on the court in a display that seems second nature to him.

Minaur’s World No. 21 hardly won a point in the opening four games, fighting back in the second set by breaking Kyrgios twice, but struggling to hold serve himself.

It was the first time Kyrgios and de Minaur had met in an ATP event.

“After yesterday’s big high, today was really hard mentally for me to go out and play Alex,” Kyrgios said.

“We’re such good friends, he’s been having such a good career and carrying the Australian flag for so long. It was just tough mentally, it’s never easy to play a friend like that especially if they’re an Australian so I just got out here and got the job done.

“I played the way I had to play — he’s a hell of a player. If you play to his strengths he’s one of the best players from the back (of the court) in the game and he’s so fast, he’s going to have a hell of a career.

Kyrgios will next face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals. The pair faced off two months ago on grass, with Hurkacz the victor on that occasion.

This Montreal Masters campaign will give Kyrgios an important rankings boost ahead of the US Open, which gets underway on Monday August 29.

He is expected to climb 10 spots in the ATP rankings, and could crack the top 15 if he wins the Canadian tournament.

Fresh from winning the Citi Open title in Washington, Kyrgios came back from a set down to top world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-7 6-4 6-2 on Thursday.

It’s the second time in his career he’s beaten a world No. 1 and he now boasts a 3-1 head-to-head record against Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion.

Since landing in the United States for the American hard court swing a couple of weeks ago, Kyrgios is 16-0 across singles and doubles.

He has now won 15 of his past 16 singles matches, stretching back to his run into the Wimbledon final, which he lost to 21-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic.

“It’s rewarding to beat the world No. 1,” Kyrgios told The Tennis Channel after the victory over Medvedev.

“It’s a reflection of all the hard work I’ve done in Sydney.

“After Washington I could easily come here and be content with what I did last week, but I wanted to empty the tank these two weeks.

“Obviously my ranking’s not where I want it to be, not getting those points at Wimbledon, but I’ve got to capitalize on this little window.”

Read related topics:Nick Kyrgios

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Sports

Nick Kyrgios smashes Alex de Minaur, Canadian Open round of 16, score, highlights, US Open

Nick Kyrgios smashes Alex de Minaur, Canadian Open round of 16, score, highlights, US Open

If there was any doubt about Nick Kyrgios’ US Open hopes, there is not now.

Fresh from his three-set victory over world No.1 Daniil Medvedev, Kyrgios demolished his Australian compatriot Alex de Minaur in straight sets (6-2, 6-3).

His clinic in Canada, which sees him move into the quarter-finals, didn’t see the volatile Australian turning on his box at times.

As late as the penultimate game, Kyrgios was blowing up at his team for their “lack of support” as he was broken.

But just as quickly he responded, winning in style a game late to progress through to the final eight.

“(Today was) incredibly tough,” he said.

“After yesterday’s big high, after playing Daniil and the crowd was amazing, it’s a day I’ll probably never forget.

“Today was really hard mentally for me to go out and play Alex, we’re such good friends and he’s been having such a good career so far and carrying the Australian flag for so long, it was tough mentally to play a friend, especially if they’re Australian.

“I just got out here and got the job done. I played the way I had to play. He’s a helluva player, if he plays to his strengths from him, he’s one of the best players from the back of the court and he’s so fast.

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Nick Kyrgios is through to the quarter-finals. Photo: Getty Images
Nick Kyrgios is through to the quarter-finals. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: AFP

The win means more than meets the eye because it sees him move back inside the world top 30 in the ATP rankings and crucially a seeding at the US Open, which gets underway on August 29.

With his round of 16 win Kyrgios is now the new world No.27. A win in the quarter-final over Hubert Hurkacz will see him climb as high as No.21.

“It was a goal, more so that I don’t get one of the big titans or gods the first-round, I can actually work my way through the draw, if the draw is kind,” he said on court.

“I always feel as if my game is right there. I feel like no matter who I play, today I felt amazing, and let’s keep it going.”

Indeed, de Minaur appeared “shell shocked” as a “mature” Kyrgios ran riot in the opening set, where the Wimbledon runner-up claimed the opening four games.

De Minaur eventually got on the scoreboard in the fifth game as he managed to hold serve for the first time in the match.

But with his fourth ace of the opening set, Kyrgios moved to a 5-1 lead and soon after claimed the first set 6-2 in just 23 minutes

“As flawless as sets come,” it was said in commentary. “A quite ridiculous level from Nick Kyrgios.”

Alex de Minaur lost in straight sets against Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: AFP

After being on his best behavior during the first set, Kyrgios starting firing up early in the second set.

He actions were described as “pure venting” as he turned on his box in the opening games of the second set.

Nonetheless, Kyrgios took an early break in the second set and never looked back.

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Business

Capel Court scammers steal $250k from NSW widow, $2.56m stolen altogether

Capel Court scammers steal $250k from NSW widow, $2.56m stolen altogether

A group of sophisticated scammers have stolen a quarter of a million dollars from a widow in NSW.

Lily*, a retiree from the NSW Mid North Coast near Port Macquarie, has been left reeling after learning she poured her $250,000 fortune into a fake investment scam.

The woman’s term deposit account was maturing and she was searching for a better return on her money.

In February this year, she was paying for her groceries at her local Woolworths when she picked up a magazine that had an advertisement inside it for an investment company called Capel Court.

“I contacted Capel Court as a result of the advert in the publication I’d seen, I’d noted the phone number and I rang them,” Lily recalled.

The so-called investment company had an online login portal and multiple employees with mobile and office phone numbers listed.

After going back and forth with company representatives for several weeks, including having a solicitor look things over, Lily eventually transferred her money in March believing she was investing in a European Investment Bank government bond.

Just a few months later news.com.au exposed that the Capel Court investment scheme was a sham. Including Lily’s losses, scammers have stolen at least $2.5 million that news.com.au knows of from six Australian victims. The highest individual loss totaled $750,000 and even an accountant in his 40s fell for the scheme.

After coming across the article and realizing she had been duped, Lily said, “I was stone cold, absolutely shocked. Probably for two weeks I cried on and off.”

Lily doesn’t have children and her husband has passed away so she was planning to leave whatever was left of her life savings to medical research to help cancer and Alzheimer’s patients.

She spoke to two different scammers who called themselves David Jones and Stephen Jones who answered all her questions and guided her through the process.

They promised her a 6.45 per cent return on her investment, with documents to back that up, which would mean she would be receiving $16,000 per year from dividends.

They tried to pressure her into depositing the money by saying there were limited spots available in the bonds fund as it was oversubscribed.

Lily almost wasn’t able to deposit her money because of the flooding along the east coast earlier this year.

“The flooding came between where I lived and where the bank was,” she said.

During the floods, the scammers called her up several times trying to get her to send the $250,000 onto them.

Finally, on March 10, Lily went into her local Westpac branch and by teletransfer, she moved $250,000 into a bank account for an instant payment system called Cuscal.

She claims bank staff didn’t ask questions and partly blames them for this unfortunate situation.

“I didn’t have any more contact [with the scammers] after everything was signed and sealed,” she said.

Have a similar story? Get-in-touch | [email protected]

In May, Lily learned she had been scammed after reading news.com.au’s previous articles.

Sure enough, when she went on the website had disappeared and she wasn’t able to get in touch with David or Stephen Jones.

“I’ve had a shocking two and a half months. I have to be [upbeat] otherwise I’d be so depressed I’d probably top myself,” she said.

Westpac wouldn’t comment on Lily’s individual case citing privacy reasons. They did not respond to questions about how they allowed an elderly woman to transfer $250,000 in one payment without raising the alarm.

“There has been a rise in investment scam activity, and we encourage all Australians to be vigilant,” a bank spokesperson said.

“Westpac invests heavily in scam prevention and has robust processes in place to alert and protect customers. We work hard to recover money for customers where possible.

“Investment scams often promise low risk for high returns. We encourage people to do their research and seek independent financial advice before making an investment.”

Sadly, this is not the first time this scamming syndicate has duped Australians out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

News.com.au has previously reported on this same group of scammers, who posed as Barclays and Macquarie Bank and EQR Securities.

They scammed one Melbourne man out of $700,000, another schoolteacher out of $500,000, a retired couple lost $200,000 and an accountant fell for it too, losing $160,000. Another widow lost $750,000.

In October last year, retired Queensland couple Antje and Bardhold Blecken had $200,000 stolen from them when they mistakenly believed they were investing in a Barclays Bank term deposit.

Then in March, Melbourne man Andy* thought he was investing $700,000 into bonds with Capel Court. It was fake and he lost his life savings.

Robert*, an accountant, also sank $160,000 into the fraudulent Capel Court group while NSW couple Jody and Corey Bridges lost $500,000 to the same scam.

Michelle Lowry transferred $750,000 to EQR Securities in December last year, which also turned out to be fake.

News.com.au can definitively link these separate scam websites because the same aliases and mobile numbers were used by the fraudsters.

The scammers used multiple aliases including William Hughes, Ben Davis, Jacob Price, Oliver James and of course David Jones.

These particular scammers are fans of rapid payment platforms like Cuscal, Money Tech/Monoova and also cryptocurrency platforms including Binance, TechMarket AU/ED Australia and ElBaite. They have also used bank accounts through the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Citibank and NAB to channel money. It’s understood many of these accounts are under investigation.

In May, news.com.au reported on Melbourne widow Jacomi Du Preez, who lost $760,000 from the life insurance payout of her husband in an elaborate Macquarie Bank term deposit website that turned out to be fake.

Luckily, Ms Du Preez realized it was a scam within a day and was able to recover all her money.

A cyber security expert, Nick Savvides, told news.com.au these particular scams are “sophisticated” and “well-resourced”.

He believes it is likely they had a group of at least 20 people working together to steal large sums of money.

The money has probably ended up overseas and could be part of an organized crime gang.

Names withheld over privacy concerns

[email protected]

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Entertainment

Frederick Waite Jr dead at 55: Tributes paid to drummer of Pass the Dutchie band Musical Youth

Frederick Waite Jr dead at 55: Tributes paid to drummer of Pass the Dutchie band Musical Youth

One of the stars of a hit British band that produced one of the 1980s most seminal reggae songs has died at the age of 55.

Frederic Waite Jr was the drummer in Birmingham band Musical Youth.

The band performed their defining song, Pass the Dutchiejust days ago at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

In 1982, the cannabis inspired anthem went to number one on the charts in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland and reached the top 10 of the US Billboard chart.

It also had a recent resurgence after featuring in the hit Netflix show Stranger Things.

On Wednesday, the ban announced the death of Waite Jr on social media.

“We are sad to announce the passing of Musical Youth’s drummer Frederick Waite Jr.

“Our thoughts go out to him and his family during this sad time. We have lost a musical legend, who inspired many young musicians over the last 40 years,” the tribute stated.

Rest in Eternal Peace.

Waite, known as “Freddie” died on July 20 in Birmingham with details only being announced now. It is not known what caused his death.

The British-Jamaican band formed in the UK’s second city in 1979.

They first performed for students at their own school, Duddeston High, in the city, reported website Birmingham Live.

Pass the Dutchie was the first single after the group signed to a major label, in their case MCA Records.

Musical Youth was the first black act to have a music video played on the then new music channel MTV.

Debut-album The Youth of Today, also released in 1982, was certified gold in the UK and Canada and spawned a number of further hit singles. Musical Youth were also nominated for a Grammy Award for best new band in 1984.

The band disbanded in 1985. Two of the band members, Dennis Seaton and Michael Grant, resurrected the band as a duo in 2001.

The band came back together for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in on July 20 as part of a celebration of Birmingham culture alongside singer Beverley Knight, the band UB40 and a TV show Peaky Blinders.

However Waite did not appear with another drummer taking his place.

Tributes have poured in for Waite with people saying it was “beyond sad,” and remembering his youth in Birmingham.

“How incredibly sad, Freddie, you inspired so many black British teenagers in the 1980s and made them realize their dreams could come true,” one said.

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Sports

AFL 2022: David King weighs in on Buddy Franklin’s contract ‘arm wrestle’ with Sydney Swans

AFL 2022: David King weighs in on Buddy Franklin's contract 'arm wrestle' with Sydney Swans

Kangaroos great David King believes Buddy Franklin will eventually decide to remain at Sydney as his contract saga with the Swans drags on.

The star forward’s deal with the Swans expires at the end of the season and he has put contract talks on hold.

“At this stage conversations have been paused around my contract so I can put all my focus on playing footy,” Franklin said through his management last weekend.

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“No further comment will be made until the season is done and I have decided about my future.

“I am still undecided and need time after the season to make a family decision about whether I continue to play next year.”

The 35-year-old has been linked with a move north to the Brisbane Lions, while retirement is not out of the question either.

But King believes Franklin will agree to stay at the Swans once the contractual “arm wrestle” is finalized.

“I don’t see Buddy really desiring to go to another football club and having to prove himself over again regarding training standards, having to gather a group, getting to know a whole new club again,” the Fox Footy commentator told news.com .au.

“I don’t see him doing that all over again.

“I think he’s got a pretty good set-up in Sydney for what will probably be the last 1-2 years of his football journey.

“He’s been an outstanding person and player for our code so whatever he decides, I think we all just give him the grace that he’ll make the right decision.”

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said last month the Swans should be prepared to “let Buddy walk” to hold onto promising young players in a salary cap squeeze.

King agreed, saying the Swans are simply doing their due diligence and ensuring Franklin’s new contract doesn’t hurt them in the long-term.

“It is a business at the end of the day,” the dual premiership-winner said.

“Each player needs to run their contractual arrangements as a business. That’s just where we’re at.

“I don’t begrudge Buddy doing what he’s doing, I don’t begrudge Sydney doing what they’re doing. They’ve got to justify what they’re doing in building that next premiership opportunity. “They’ve got to look at life after Franklin even though he’s still there. It would be counter productive for them to set up a salary cap that would cost them a player somewhere down the track.

“We all understand what’s happening. It’s a contractual arm-wrestle, I’m sure it’ll sort itself out.”

Another out of contract player is Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, who is in good form but has had several off-field indiscretions including a Bali nightclub video scandal which saw him issues a suspended $25,000 fine.

King believes the Magpies will be desperate to re-sign De Goey but any new deal will be “on Collingwood’s terms”.

“I think (Collingwood coach) Craig McRae’s handled it perfectly,” he said.

“They love Jordan De Goey the player and we see what he does with his ability to influence games, keep that scoreboard ticking over. Whether you like him or not personally, he’s a star of our competition.

“Do Collingwood want to keep him? I’m sure they do, 100 per cent. We’ve heard Craig McRae say that countless times.

“But at the end of the day it’s on Collingwood’s terms. The off-field has outweighed the on-field over the last 24 months. That’s become a concern for him. It will impact the contract tensions no doubt, but they clearly need Jordan De Goey to stay at Collingwood.”

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