Australia’s Greatest Conman
A respected leader of an Australian national search and rescue operation isn’t who he claims to be.
HOW TO EARN FREE CPE
In less than 10 minutes, you can earn 1 hour of NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.
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Download the app:
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CONNECT WITH CALEB
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/
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- (00:00) - - Introduction to Richard Flanagan and John Friedrich
- (01:30) - - Welcome to Oh My Fraud
- (07:00) - - John Friedrich and the National Safety Council of Australia
- (10:00) - - The Ash Wednesday Bushfires and NSC's Expansion
- (16:42) - - Discovery of Financial Irregularities and Friedrich's Disappearance
- (22:29) - - Friedrich's True Identity and Arrival in Australia
- (25:59) - - Analysis Using the Fraud Triangle Framework
- (30:59) - - Friedrich's Arrest, Legal Proceedings and Eventual Death
- (35:29) - - Lessons Learned From the Friedrich Case and Wrap Up
HOW TO EARN FREE CPE
In less than 10 minutes, you can earn 1 hour of NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.
https://www.earmark.app/
Download the app:
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Join Caleb and Greg live in New Jersey NJCPA Convention & Expo [NJCPA]
CONNECT WITH CALEB
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnewquist
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/
Email us at ohmyfraud@earmarkcpe.com
Sources:
- Common seadragon [Wikipedia]
- List of impostors [Wikipedia]
- Fictional impostors [Wikipedia]
- National Safety Council of Australia [Wikipedia]
- Ash Wednesday bushfires [Wikipedia]
- John Friedrich (fraudster) [Wikipedia]
- The Story of John Friedrich: The Great Imposter [Australian Crime Stories / True Crime TV]
- Mr John FRIEDRICH Medal of the Order of Australia [Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet]
- Friedrich and Flanagan: the con-man and his ghostwriter [Conversations / ABC]
- Richard Flanagan on lies, literature, and Australia’s greatest conman [The Guardian]
Creators and Guests

Host
Caleb Newquist
Writer l Content at @GustoHQ | Co-host @ohmyfraud | Founding editor @going_concern | Former @CCDedu prof | @JeffSymphony board member | Trying to pay attention.
