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Friedrich the Fraud

Friedrich the Fraud

Was he Australia's greatest con artist? That was the title given to John Friedrich, the former head of the Victorian Division of National Safety Council of Australia. Back in the 1980s, he famously made $293 million of investors’ money disappear. When his fraud was uncovered, he went missing himself for sixteen days, prompting a nationwide manhunt and a media storm that reported both facts and the fictions. Guests: Barry Whitehead - former NSCA operations manager Frank Bongiorno - professor of history, ANU Peter and Ann Synan - regional historians & Sale residents Zyg Zayler - criminal lawyer, Melasecca Kelly & Zayler Credits: Composer - Matthew Crawford Sound engineer - Tim Symonds Producer - Lyn Gallacher

ABC Rewind · Australian Broadcasting Corporation

January 4, 202528m 36s

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Show Notes

Was he Australia's greatest con artist?  That was the title given to John Friedrich, the former head of the Victorian Division of National Safety Council of Australia.  Back in the 1980s, he famously made $293 million of investors’ money disappear. When his fraud was uncovered, he went missing himself for sixteen days, prompting a nationwide manhunt and a media storm that reported both facts and the fictions.

Guests:

Barry Whitehead - former NSCA operations manager

Frank Bongiorno - professor of history, ANU

Peter and Ann Synan - regional historians & Sale residents

Zyg Zayler - criminal lawyer, Melasecca Kelly & Zayler

Credits:

Composer - Matthew Crawford

Sound engineer - Tim Symonds

Producer - Lyn Gallacher