What are the Australiasian Branch Awards?

The Australasian Branch of IAATI, in partnership with our Award Sponsors, DataDot Technology have an annual Awards Programme. The IAATI Branch awards seek to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, innovation, or exceptional performance in the area of auto theft prevention and investigation.

Top of page

Award Categories

Nominations are currently invited for the following four categories:

Investigation of the Year

Sponsored by the Australasian Branch of IAATI this award is open to any individual or team of professionals involved in the identification and investigation of motor vehicle theft. The investigation may be deemed exceptional for a range of reasons including its use innovative methodologies or techniques, the complexity of the investigation, the involvement and cooperation of multiple agencies, or the size of the operation. It is open to members of Police services, Customs services, insurance investigators, private investigators, or anyone else involved in investigation of motor vehicle theft. The may involve cooperation of international agencies but at least part of the investigation must have taken place in Australia or New Zealand during the last 3 years.

Insurance Industry Auto Theft Investigation of the Year Award

This award is open to individuals working in the insurance industry involved in the identification and/or investigation of auto theft insurance claims. The award is open to insurance investigators, private investigators, claims officers, claims managers, insurance assessors and insurance company personnel involved in an intelligence role. The investigation and/or claims process may be deemed exceptional for a range of reasons including its use of innovated methodologies or techniques or the complexity of the investigation.

The individual will need to show that the investigation and or claims process has met with the requirements of the General Insurance Code of Practice, the insurance company's service level agreement, customer relations guidelines and/or dispute resolution process if applicable. The investigation and/or insurance claim must have taken place in Australia or New Zealand during the last three years.

Outstanding Achievement in the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft in Australasia

Sponsored by the Australasian Branch of IAATI this award is open to any individual, organisation or agency that has made a significant contribution to assist in the reduction of motor vehicle theft in Australia. For example, potential nominations in this category may include:

DataDot Investigation of the Year Award

The DataDot Investigation of the Year Award is being held for the fifth time this year. Entries are open to any organisation (public or private) that has relied upon the DataDot component identification product in an investigation of motor vehicles. This award is sponsored by DataDot Technology Ltd.

Outstanding Contribution by a member to the International or Australasian Branch of IAATI

Nominations for this award are only open to present or past members of the Australasian Branch of IAATI. This award is to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.

Top of page

Award Nominations

Nominations for any of the awards can be made at any time. However, for a nomination to be considered for the 2011 Awards it must be submitted by Friday 28th January, 2011. Please send:

to:

Harry Rakintzis
PO Box 919
Beenleigh
Queensland 4207
or email to president@iaatiaus.org

Winners will be announced at the Annual Training Seminar each year. Download Awards Flyer

Presentation Ceremony

Winners of the Branch Awards will be announced during the Annual Australasian Branch Training Seminar Dinner. Sponsorship provided by DataDot Technology enables the award winners to attend the dinner in person. The winner of each category may also be asked to make a short presentation during the conference and/or write a short article for publication in an IAATI newsletter.

Winners of the 2011 Branch Awards will be announced during the 2011 Seminar Dinner during the 18th Annual Training Seminar to be held in Melbourne Victoria during March 2011. Sponsorship provided by DataDot Technology enables the award winners to attend the dinner in person. The winner of each category may also be asked to make a short presentation during the conference and/or write a short article for publication in an IAATI newsletter.

Enquiries

Enquiries about the Branch awards can made by emailing: president@iaatiaus.org

Sponsors

The Australasian Branch of IAATI gratefully acknowledges the long term support of DataDot Technology with the Branch Awards Program.

Top of page

2010 Award Recipients

DataDot Investigation of the Year ­ sponsored by DataDot Technology

Winner: Operation Hotel Raptor - Organised Crime Investigation Unit - Queensland Police Service.

Queensland Police attended an address in response to information concerning a suspect motor vehicle. At that location Police located a 2008 Grand Cherokee Jeep, valued at $80,000 that had recently been reported stolen in New South Wales. Police observed that this was a rural property and there were many cars on the premises. A subsequent check on these vehicles located nine vehicles that had previously been reported stolen.

The occupier of the premises was questioned regarding the vehicles and eventually admitted that all of the vehicles had been reported stolen and that they were the proceeds from insurance fraud. He stated that he had been approached from various people to arrange for the disposal of the cars.

Due to the overwhelming evidence being gathered against him the proprietor turned informant and stated that on that night he was supposed to collect an Alfa coupe from a tow truck driver. He stated that he did not know the owner but knew that they were going to report the theft on the Monday morning and that his role was to collect the vehicle and then get the Alfa key back to the tow truck driver so the owner would have the keys when the theft was reported, in case it was queried by Police or insurance investigators.

Police attended this carpark on this night and located the Alfa and subsequently seized that vehicle on the belief that an attempt of fraud was being committed on an insurance company. The registered owner of the Alfa attended the Surfers Paradise Police Station and reported her vehicle stolen. Police hatched a plan whereby it was necessary to have the key returned to the owner to give credibility to her story that the Alfa was stolen.

The Informer had been contacted by the tow truck driver advising that that the Alfa key was needed by the owner. As the Alfa key was strong evidence of the fraud police were reluctant to re-introduce the key through the network and attempts were made to locate an identical key in a very short amount of time. Due to the specific wear patterns on the key and its uniqueness this was proving imposible given the small window of opportunity.

Police then were resigned to using the original key in the strategy, though prior to re-introducing the key it was sprayed with "QPS Auto Theft" datadots. On Monday afternoon the key was returned to the towtruck driver in accordance with the original instructions. Officers followed the tow truck driver to Brisbane and then an address on the Gold Coast which was found to belong to a proprietor of a prominent panel beater.

Whilst being interviewed by insurance investigator the owner of the car produced an Alfa key as proof of the theft of her vehicle. She stated that she had only ever been given one key with the vehicle when she had purchased it second hand. She was very adamant and confident in her demeanour that her vehicle was stolen and denied any involvement in the theft.

Following this insurance interview police obtained the Alfa key which was immediately identified as being the datadotted key. During June 2009 police executed several search warrants on the Gold Coast in relation to this investigation and 17 persons were arrested on 26 charges relating to the systematic fraud on insurance companies.

The Insurance Investigation of the Year

Winner: Insurance Investigator ­ Karen Suljic

This award recognises individuals working in the insurance industry that are involved in the investigation of auto theft insurance claims. This year´s winner was nominated for an investigation conducted into the theft of two motor vehicles, a Ford F250 and a Mitsubishi Magna. The Insured in this instance lodged three claims. A household break in resulting in a burglary and the theft of the two motor vehicles.

As a result of this investigation the insurer, IAG, was able to deny the claim which was valued at $78,000.00. The Insured has not disputed this decision through the Financial Ombudsman or the courts.

Investigation of the Year

Winner: Operation Beryl - Detective Sergeant Callum McNeill from Auckland City Police

During January 2009 Police Intelligence identified that a large number of Toyota Hiace Vans were being stolen with a very low recovery rate. Over a 12 month period in one district 267 vehicles were stolen and only 14% were recovered. The value of the vehicles stolen was around $1.3m.

The team that was formed to investigate these thefts identified 8 car wreckers as properties of interest. The police together with Customs and Immigration officers used mobile and static surveillance on the persons and properties of interest.

Overall this investigation led to;

The theft rate of Toyota Hiace´s has decreased by 54% as a result of this operation.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Region 3 Vehicle Theft Task Force, Victoria Police.

The winner of the 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award this year is a police task force which is responsible for an area of 65000 square kilometres. The area they are responsible for has a larger than average number of Motor vehicle repair and wrecking businesses operating and statistically over the years it has shown to have a high incidence of vehicle related crime. This team is made up of one detective sergeant, two detective senior constables, two uniform personnel and an analyst. It has the capability to conduct quick and pointed operations to disrupt organized vehicle crime. Overall this task force has been innovative and focused on tackling serious vehicle crime, its associated fraud and the use of vehicles in crime. As a result vehicle theft in this area has decreased by 43%.

Member of the Year

Winner; Detective Senior Constable Brett Florence from Victoria Police.

This award designed to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.

This year´s recipient has been a devoted member and supporter of IAATI. Brett continually contributes a significant amount of work towards the organisation of conferences by presenting, assisting or promoting IAATI. He assisted the branch at the 2009 Auckland and Western Australian conferences and has again had a key role in facilitating presentation at the 2010 Brisbane training seminar. Brett´s attitude and application towards IAATI coupled with his ability to utilise IAATI members to assist him in his daily occupation only endorses the foundations of why our branch exists. Like all organisations IAATI Australasia has rules, processes and procedures, however like all organisations it is the things that cannot be captured in writing that create an organisation´s DNA. This year´s winner epitomises the IAATI DNA which is not only about learning and networking but also about giving and sharing where the only personal reward is the development of the Branch and its members.

2009 Award Recipients

DataDot Investigation of the Year ­ sponsored by DataDot Technology

The Winner of the 2009 DataDot Investigation of the Year award was won by the Taiwan Crime Investigation Bureau. In October 2008, the local county police raided a suspected ´chop shop´, and found over 6000 car parts from almost 1000 cars. The police together with the CIB as part of the investigation carried out a forensic examination of selected parts.

This examination identified microdots bearing the VIN of the original vehicle as ´whole vehicle marking´ introduced by the Taiwan Government in 2005. As a result of this they were able to confirm that many of the parts belonged to stolen cars. The investigation led to 3 arrests and subsequent convictions. The value of the goods seized was over $9,000,000.00 Australian dollars.

The Insurance Investigation of the Year

Winner: Jason Ostrofski ­ Verifact Investigations Pty Ltd

This award recognises individuals working in the insurance industry that are involved in the investigation of auto theft insurance claims. This year´s winner for the second consecutive year is Jason Ostrofski. Jason was nominated for an investigation he conducted in 2008 into a claim for a stolen 2004 Toyota Corolla Hatch. Upon obtaining detailed versions from the policyholders and other relevant witnesses at the time of the allege theft was able to:

After obtaining all this information he was able to formally discuss these concerns with the policyholders. As a result of the overwhelming evidence presented to the insurer the claim was declined.

Investigation of the Year

Winner: New South Wales Police ­ Strike Force Deeble

The New South Wales Police Strike Force Deeble´ employed new techniques to assist with the investigation. The investigation was into two connected criminal groups who were involved in Car Theft, Stripping of parts, repairing economically Written Off cars, using false receipts, providing false receipts, using stolen parts and the sale of the rebirthed cars.

This strike force worked closely with the Roads and Traffic Authority, Victoria Police, South Australia Police, Insurers and Department of Fair Trading. It also utilised new legislation to assist the investigation such as:

This investigation resulted in 9 offenders charged with 35 offences and seized multiple car parts, 8 vehicles and 1 Jet Ski. It also identified assets in excess of $1m which are now subject to confiscation proceedings. It is the first re-birthing investigation to charge offenders with the ´Participate in Criminal Groups#180; offence& and to instigate Asset Confiscation proceedings.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Sergeant Barry Woolven ­ South Australia Police.

Sergeant Woolven has dedicated himself towards developing and implementing crime prevention strategies. His role encompasses research, development, preparation and dissemination of vehicle crime prevention and problem solving material, including promotional material and guidelines for the use of SA police and the community.

His strategies encourage the reporting of motor vehicle related offences, awareness raising, reducing vulnerability and the use of traditional and innovative means to prevent car theft whilst providing support to the victims. His contribution assisted South Australia to record the highest percentage decrease of 20% in motor vehicle theft during 2008.

Member of the Year

This award designed to recognise the work of an individual member, who through their dedication and involvement, has helped in the development, growth or professionalism of IAATI within the Australasian Branch or at the international level.

This year´s recipient Frank de Jong has been a committee member since 2006. During this period he has continually contributed a significant amount of work towards the organisation of conferences. He is always available to participate in meetings and to assist in whatever action is required. In particular he has been instrumental in assisting with organising this conference and has continually promoted IAATI in his residing country. He is also qualified Automotive Engineer and has shown initiative in setting up his own company to support insurance companies to recover stolen motor vehicles.

2008 Award Recipients

Investigation of the Year ­ Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2008 is Strike Force Olympian, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, State Crime Command, NSW Police Force. Strike Force Olympian was formed in January 2007, as a result of sustained intelligence regarding the vehicle rebirthing activities of a number of members of the Middle Eastern Organised Crime community. Intelligence was received regarding a syndicate that was intimately involved in the wrecking industry, as well as being responsible for organising and executing the theft and clinical stripping of motor vehicles. The syndicate was large, well established and professional, and were stealing vehicles predominantly from the eastern suburbs of Sydney, and dumping the clinically stripped wrecks in the south west of Sydney. The major arrest phase was conducted on 19 July 2007. This arrest phase concluded the "car thief chapter" of the investigation, and alone saw the arrest of 6 offenders the laying of over 50 charges. 18 stolen vehicles were located and seized, and two 40 foot shipping containers were required to store the volume of stolen and suspected stolen vehicle parts seized during the search warrants.

DataDot Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by DataDot

The winner of the award for 2008 is Strike Force Shiprock, Property Crime Squad, Motor Team, State Crime Command, NSW Police Force. In January 2007 two motor vehicles were stolen from a car yard in Western Sydney. Police received information that these vehicles were at a residential home. An investigation commenced and in February 2007 a search warrant was executed at these premises resulting in the location of parts from one of the stolen motor vehicles. A business inspection was also conducted on a licensed smash repairer and further parts from the same stolen vehicle were recovered.

As a result further associates were identified and a number of investigative strategies commenced resulting in four search warrants being executed in March 2007, on a variety of residential premises. Police located and seized eleven suspected rebirthed motor vehicles, thirteen motor cycles, a jet boat and jet ski together with a large amount of vehicle parts and accessories. Two of the vehicles recovered on were identified ostensibly by ´DataDots´ affixed to the vehicles. One vehicle, a Subaru WRX was determined to be a combination of six motor vehicles with ´DataDots´ used to identify parts from five stolen motor vehicles. The second vehicle identified using ´DataDots´ was a Holden Special Vehicle R8 Marloo utility.

Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft - Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2008 is Identitek System Pty Ltd.

Identitek Systems Pty Ltd has developed the first secure compliance label that meets the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Councils (NMVTRC) tough technical specifications. Improving the standard of vehicle identification at the point of manufacture is a central element of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Councils integrated theft reduction strategy.

The Australasian Branch commends Identitek Systems on its innovation and persistence and believes they are a very worthy winner of the 2008 award.

Member of the Year - sponsored by IAATI

The Australasian Branch Member of the Year for 2008 is Detective Terry Campbell of the New South Wales Police Force. Detective Inspector Terry Campbell was a worthy winner of the 2008 Member of the Year Award having played an active role as a member of the Onsite Organising Committee for the 2008 International Training Seminar. Well done Terry.

Insurance Industry Investigation of the Year Award - Sponsored by IAATI

The inaugural winner of the Insurance Industry Award is Queensland Private Investigator Mr Jason Ostrofski of Verifact Investigations.

On 3 July 2007, Mr Ostrofski received instructions in relation to a Full Motor Vehicle Theft Investigation that was required to be carried out on behalf of an insurance company. The insured vehicle in this matter was a 2000 Kia Sportage station wagon.

The investigation was conducted with an exceptional level of knowledge, and professionalism. Mr Ostrofski displayed innovative interview techniques, utilized the services of industry professionals and explored all avenues of inquiries including inquiries with external agencies during the investigation which provided an excellent result for the Insurer. The insurance company declined the policy holders claim alleging fraud.

Top of page

2007 Award Recipients

Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2007 is Strike Force HINDLEY of the Property Crime Squad, State Crime Command, NSW Police.

In early 2005, a Plain Clothes Constable with NSWPOL was given carriage of enquiries into a "theft by fraud" of a hire vehicle.

Early enquiries identified a number of similar offences, and the Constable transferred to the Property Crime Squad as the Office in Charge of the Strike Force that was initiated. A number of vehicles were hired by students at the request of the main target, and paid small amounts for their trouble to hand the vehicles over to the syndicate.

A number of additional (luxury) vehicles were purchased fraudulently using forged cheques. The original cheques were in small amounts (eg. $30) but "washed" by the syndicate for use in amounts up to $60,000.

When concluded in October 2006, the Strike Force had identified a rebirthing syndicate associated with 28 stolen vehicles valued at more than $500,000. Seventeen offenders were arrested and charged.

Outstanding Contribution to the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft - Sponsored by IAG

The winner of the award for 2007 is Glenorchy City Council, Tasmania.

Each year, the NMVTRC sponsors a public awareness program known as "Operation Bounce Back". Three years ago, a Council in Tasmania identified vehicle crime as a local issue, and was ranked second worst in the state by incident volume.

In 2004/05, sixty 'at risk' youths attended a seminar to examine the real risks of being involved in vehicle crime. During the seminar, these young people suggested that the best way to get the anti-theft message out to the community would be through TV advertisements.

The Council then set about developing 3 x 30 second anti-vehicle theft advertisements using NMVTRC sponsorship. The advertisements involved a group of young at-risk persons, who assisted in the creative and technical aspects of production. Following the campaign, this Council experienced an 14% decrease in vehicle crime, compared to a 14% increase across Tasmania.

DataDot Investigation of the Year - Sponsored by DataDot

The winner of the award for 2007 is the Forensic Response Section, South Australia Police.

In December 2006 in South Australia, 2003 HSV Clubsport was stolen after the driver stopped to assist a man lying injured on the roadway. Three weeks later, patrol officers stopped a van containing 5 males towing a trailer after the group set fire to the rear half of a Commodore sedan.

Tasked with the investigation, the Forensic Response Section of SAPOL recognized that the Commodore was a post-2002 model and so should carry DataDots. Unfortunately, any Dots that may have been affixed were consumed in the fire.

Subsequent searches of property and vehicles owned by the five males, however, revealed a number of DataDotted panels and wheels that had been removed from the 2003 HSV. As a result, the suspect in possession of these items was charged and some $20,000 of components was recovered.

Member of the Year - sponsored by IAATI

The Australasian Branch Member of the Year for 2007 was Gerry Bashford of Victoria Police. Well done Gerry.

Top of page