Real Crime with Adam Shand

He was dubbed the “Wolf of Whiteman Street," a Crown Casino high roller whose extravagant lifestyle allegedly included lavish parties, VIP treatment, and extraordinary spending. But behind the glamour, police allege Sy Giang Nguyen was funding his lifestyle through a multimillion-dollar fraud against the charity where he worked. Nguyen is facing hundreds of charges, and the allegations remain before the courts. Herald Sun senior reporter Seb Costello joins Adam Shand to unravel the extraordinary story of Nguyen’s rise, the world he inhabited, and the allegations that brought it crashing down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alistair Farquhar "Sandy" MacRae is a quadruple convicted murderer who killed without mercy. At 77, MacRae is eligible for parole after completing his jail sentence in South Australia but questions remain whether he killed other people, including women who worked in massage parlours in Melbourne in the 1970s. Former Victoria Police assistant commissioner Noel Ashby dealt with MacRae and tells Adam Shand he might have got away with several other murders and should not be released, despite finishing his jail time and his advanced age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus epsiode From the Desk Adam asks the question. Australia is getting tougher on youth crime — longer sentences, stricter bail laws and “adult time for adult crime.” But with youth detention costing more than $1 billion a year and around 85% of young offenders returning to the system, is locking kids up really making us safer? Adam Shand looks at the disturbing crimes driving public anger, the teenagers being recruited by organised crime, and why tougher punishment alone may be failing to stop the next generation of offenders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent arrests in Melbourne of individuals alleged to be connected to offshore organised crime bosses have raised hopes police may be turning the tide on the arson campaign that has beset Melbourne. Adam talks with Detective Inspector Graham Banks of Victoria Police’s Eclipse taskforce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 25 years, former NSW prison officer Simone Patterson lived with the consequences of sexual harassment and assault by a male colleague. Then she decided to pursue justice — and succeeded. Simone joins Adam Shand to explain why she waited, what it took to go to court, and what finally being heard meant to her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Using the allegations against convicted rapist Ralph Carr as a starting point, Adam Shand explores the hidden power imbalance at the heart of sexual abuse. Drawing on conversations with another alleged victim who feared Carr’s influence, this episode examines how authority, reputation and fear can silence victims for years—and why understanding that imbalance is essential if we want justice to prevail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 3 of his interview, former Victorian Armed Robbery Squad detective Steve Beanland details his battle with Victoria Police over allegations he made regarding sexual misconduct at the Police Academy.Faced with a lack of support from the police hierarchy, Beanland goes to war with his former employers and finds himself in custody facing serious criminal charges. Over several years, he struggles to clear his name and to recover from bipolar disorder and depression.        Follow Adam on Facebook here Support lifeline here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Morris has spent years searching for answers in Australia's most haunting missing-persons cases. In this episode of Real Crime with Adam Shand, she discusses her book Lost, the human stories behind unexplained disappearances, and why so many families remain trapped between hope and heartbreak. Drawing on her work with the Australian Missing Persons Register, Nicole offers a rare insight into the enduring impact of not knowing and the relentless search for truth. Read the book here Find out more here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's illicit tobacco trade has fuelled a wave of firebombings, extortion and organised crime. But is history about to repeat itself with alcohol?In this episode of From the Desk, Adam Shand examines how rising alcohol excise may be creating new opportunities for criminal syndicates. From illegal distilleries and counterfeit spirits to billion-dollar tax losses and dangerous contaminated alcohol, he explores the unintended consequences of government policy and asks whether Australia has found the right balance between protecting public health and preventing organised crime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.