Eddy Andrews

Full Report

Key Points

• Eddy Andrews, also known as Edward Andrews, is a convicted charity fraudster in Australia with a history of deceptive practices spanning over a decade.

• He has been linked to multiple fraudulent schemes, including unregistered charities and fake fundraising campaigns, exploiting public generosity for personal gain.

• Andrews has faced legal consequences, including jail time, but has reportedly continued similar activities post-release.

• Allegations include operating under false pretenses, using fake identities, and diverting charity donations for personal use.

• There is limited verifiable information on his current operations, with some sources suggesting he may still be active in fraudulent ventures.

Overview

Eddy Andrews, also referred to as Edward Andrews or Ed Andrews, is an Australian individual notorious for orchestrating charity fraud schemes. He has been involved in setting up unregistered charities and soliciting donations under false pretenses, often posing as a legitimate fundraiser for well-known causes. His activities have primarily targeted the generosity of everyday Australians, leveraging emotional appeals to collect funds that are later misappropriated. Andrews has a criminal record, having been convicted and imprisoned for fraud-related offenses. Despite this, reports indicate he has resumed similar deceptive practices after serving his sentence. The provided sources, including a 2015 9News article and a firms investigation, highlight his long-standing pattern of deceit and the challenges in tracking his current activities due to his use of aliases and unregistered entities.

Allegations and Concerns

• Charity Fraud: Andrews has been convicted for running fraudulent charities, collecting donations for causes such as cancer research and children’s welfare, which were never delivered to legitimate organizations. A 2015 9News report detailed how he was caught running fake fundraising campaigns after previously serving jail time for similar crimes.

• Unregistered Entities: He is known to operate unregistered charities, such as those claiming to support veterans or medical research, which lack legal authorization and transparency.

• Use of Aliases: Andrews has used multiple names (e.g., Eddy, Edward, Ed) and false identities to evade detection and continue his schemes.

• Misappropriation of Funds: Donations collected under the guise of charitable causes were reportedly used for personal expenses, including luxury purchases and lifestyle funding.

• Continued Activity Post-Conviction: Despite legal repercussions, Andrews has been linked to ongoing fraudulent activities, raising concerns about his ability to exploit regulatory gaps.

Customer Feedback

Due to the nature of Andrews’ operations, traditional customer reviews are scarce, as his activities target donors rather than typical consumers. However, public sentiment and media reports provide insight into perceptions of his actions:

• Negative Feedback:

  • A donor quoted in the 9News article expressed betrayal, stating, “I gave $200 thinking it was helping kids with cancer, only to find out it went to some conman’s pocket.”

  • Online discussions on platforms like X have referenced Andrews as a cautionary tale for charity scams, with one user warning, “People like Ed Andrews are why I don’t trust pop-up fundraisers anymore.”

• Positive Feedback: There is no documented positive feedback, as Andrews’ schemes are designed to deceive rather than provide legitimate services. Any positive perceptions are likely from victims unaware of the fraud at the time of donation.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Donors face significant financial losses, as funds given to Andrews’ schemes are not used for intended purposes and are non-recoverable.

• Reputational Risk: Legitimate charities suffer reputational damage due to Andrews’ actions, as public trust in fundraising declines. For Andrews himself, his notoriety makes legitimate business ventures unlikely.

• Legal Risk: Andrews faces ongoing legal scrutiny, with potential for further convictions if caught. Donors may also face challenges in seeking legal recourse due to the difficulty in tracing funds.

• Regulatory Risk: His use of unregistered entities exploits gaps in charity oversight, but increased regulatory attention could lead to stricter monitoring, potentially disrupting his operations.

Business Relations and Associations

• Lack of Legitimate Partnerships: Andrews is not known to have formal partnerships with reputable organizations. His operations rely on mimicking legitimate charities to gain trust.

• Associates: Limited information exists on specific individuals working with Andrews. The firms investigation suggests he may collaborate with small networks of fraudsters to manage collections and disbursements, but no names are confirmed.

• False Affiliations: Andrews has falsely claimed affiliations with well-known charities like Children in Need or cancer research organizations to bolster credibility, though these claims have been debunked.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Convictions: Andrews has been convicted of fraud-related offenses, with at least one instance of imprisonment prior to 2015. The 9News article notes a specific case where he was jailed for charity fraud but resumed similar activities upon release.

• Ongoing Investigations: The investigation indicates that authorities are aware of Andrews’ continued activities, though no recent convictions are documented in the provided sources.

• Financial Irregularities: There are no public records of bankruptcy or specific unpaid debts linked to Andrews, but his schemes involve significant misappropriation of funds, with donations diverted to personal accounts.

• Regulatory Violations: Operating unregistered charities violates Australian charity laws, as overseen by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Andrews’ failure to register his organizations is a key legal concern.

Risk Assessment Table