Phoenix Global
| Phoenix Global | |
| Industry | Private Investigations |
| Founder | Michael "Mick" Featherstone |
| Headquarters | Southport, Queensland, Australia |
Number of locations | 3 |
Key people | Michael Featherstone, Zach Featherstone, Zoei Keong, Travis Burch |
| Brands | Phoenix Global, Internet Reputation Australia, investigatorbali.com.au |
| Services | Detective Services, Private Investigations, Compliance, Risk Management and Internet Services. |
| Website |
www |
Phoenix Global is a private investigations firm run by former Queensland police officer Michael Featherstone.[1] Featherstone is an ex-Surfers Paradise Fraud Squad officer and Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) boss.[2]
The firm provides compliance and risk management services as well as conventional private investigation services. It also offers investigative services to individuals facing criminal charges. Phoenix Global specializes in finding and removing adverse or defamatory internet posts about its clients,[3] and is associated with an array of companies involved with investments, horse racing betting software, sports betting syndicates and "virtual" stock market games.[1][4]
In 2008 Michael Featherstone described Phoenix Global's surveillance techniques to the media, including the use of covert listening devices and the hacking of computers and phones in order to supply information to clients. The use of bugging devices without the target's knowledge is illegal in Australia, however he said an individual who has been caught out will rarely take the matter to police.[5]
In 2014, ABC News Australia named Michael Featherstone and Phoenix Global as the focus of a fraud investigation by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission. The matter was referred to the CCC by police due to the possible involvement of police officers in Phoenix Global's activities.[4] Queensland authorities suspended Featherstone's private investigator's licence in March 2015 after he was arrested and charged for alleged involvement in a kidnapping plot.[2][6] The following month, two employees of Phoenix Global were charged by the CCC with fraud and money laundering as part of the ongoing investigation into cold call investment fraud.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Feller, Michael (2008-12-09). "White shoe brigade kicks back". Crikey.com.au. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Willacy, Mark and Solomons, Mark (2015-03-04). "Authorities suspend private investigator's licence of ex-detective Mick Featherstone, with links to alleged international kidnap plot". ABC News. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ↑ Solomons, Mark (2014-12-19). "Profiles: Andrew Crook, Tony Smith and Mick Featherstone". ABC News. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Solomons, Mark (2014-09-03). "Michael Featherstone, former senior Queensland police detective, investigated over alleged fraud, links to bikies". ABC News. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ↑ Dennehy, Kate (2008-06-08). "How private eyes track your every move". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ↑ Robertson, Joshua (2014-12-19). "Clive Palmer's media adviser Andrew Crook charged over alleged plot to coerce banker". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ↑ Willacy, Mark and Solomons, Mark (2015-04-02). "Partner and associate of former Queensland police detective Mick Featherstone charged with fraud, money laundering". ABC News. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
Further reading
- Colvin, Mark (2014-09-02) "Former QLD police detective the focus of major corruption investigation" PM ABC Radio.
- Solomons, M & Willacy, M (2014-10-20) "Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) raids home of ex-detective Mick Featherstone who has alleged links to gambling scams" ABC News.