YOUR FREE NOT-FOR-PROFIT NEWSPAPER I #heartofthehinterland I Find us on socials@cooroyrag
I 4 November 2025
Formal fashions and fun for NDSH Page 14-15
The Noosa River came alive as Sunshine Butterflies hosted its 5th annual Walk In Wings event, bringing together hundreds to celebrate inclusion, raise awareness for people with disability, and spread colour, kindness and community spirit across the region.
Tee up for cancer support Page 39
Council cautions constant vigilance after theft of millions: a deep dive into the attack BY SARAH JANE SCOTT
NOOSA Council CEO Larry Sengstock has revealed more details about the major fraud incident that saw an initial $2.3 million stolen from Council during the 2024 Christmas period. The theft, carried out by international criminal gangs using advanced social engineering and artificial intelligence techniques, remains under investigation by the Australian Federal Police
and Interpol. Larry said the criminals’ tactics were “highly sophisticated, strategic and targeted” and confirmed that no council staff were at fault. “Police say that these types of incidents are on the rise and should act as a warning for organisations to continually review their procedures,” he said. Council first learned of the crime not through its own systems, but from the authorities. “We were alerted
by the police that the incident had happened,” Larry said. “They had already been aware of the criminal group and were monitoring their activities.” “From there we immediately checked our systems and our processes and to make sure that we hadn't been breached from a cyber perspective. It was a separate process incident, not a cyber-security attack.” The theft was not a slow or ongoing loss, but rather one big hit that occurred in December 2024.
“Once we were aware we had been attacked, we checked they hadn’t taken personal information from our residents and community, because that's sort of the normal thing these days – criminals going in to steal data so that they can use people's information, but it was purely a financial hit,” he said. “[The] attack … utilised unidentified vulnerabilities in our process, and unfortunately, that theft was the result.” Council was instructed to
remain silent during the early stages of the investigation to avoid compromising police efforts. “They basically gave us the direction to keep it quiet and let them do their investigation,” Larry said. “We also alerted the government, the minister’s office and the Queensland Audit Office within the statutory timeframes. Once we were cleared to make it public, we did so.” Continued page 3
Hinternoosa is proud to be named finalists in four categories in the 2025 REIQ Awards for Excellence: Large Agency of the Year Contribution to the Community Rising Star Salesperson of the Year - Ruth Venning Agency Support Person of the Year - Heather Fleming
07 5447 7000, 30 MAPLE STREET, COOROY 07 5449 1186, 777 EUMUNDI NOOSA ROAD, DOONAN HINTERNOOSA.COM.AU
Cooroy Rag, 4 November 2025 - Page 1