Australian Watchdog Files Forgery Charges Against Former Advisor

Josh O'Neill

7 August 2017

Australia's main regulator has filed charges against a former Victoria-based advisor accusing him of forging 22 “change of advisor” forms on behalf of unknowing clients so he could receive additional fees.

Shane Thompson appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on two charges brought by the .

The regulator alleged that Thompson, between 27 December 2012 and 1 March 2013, completed 22 false change of advisor forms and submitted them to MLC to transfer to National Australia Bank.

Thompson allegedly forger clients' signatures on each form and did this without clients' knowledge or authorisation so he could receive additional planning fees from his employer, NAB.

The matter was adjourned for a plea hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 26 October 2017.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the case.