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Last updated - January 28, 2026
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Arjuna Samarakoon, a former Melbourne tax agent, pleaded guilty in 2017 to defrauding the ATO of $549,719 through false R&D tax incentive claims, personally pocketing $380,000. He was sentenced to 29 months’ imprisonment (18 months to serve) and later disqualified by ASIC as an SMSF auditor for dealing with proceeds of crime and obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Managing Director
Strategic Consultant
High Risk
Based on the available data, we advise consumers to avoid this Individual altogether.
This advisory is based on an aggregate risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.
You are likely to be at great risk by engaging in any sort of consumer-related activity with this entity.
Medium Risk
Based on the available data, we advise employees to be mindful when considering or continuing work with this Individual.
This advisory stems from a medium-risk score compiled from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors uncovered in our analysis.
Employment with this entity may involve moderate risks.
Based on the available data, we urge investors and bankers to avoid financial involvement with this Individual.
This advisory is informed by an aggregate risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.
Engaging in investment or lending activities with this entity poses a substantial risk to your financial interests.
Safe to Onboard
Enhanced Due Diligence required
Do Not Onboard
Monitor adverse media every 6 months
File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted
Escalation to compliance committee
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He was convicted in 2017 for defrauding the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) of AUD 549,719 through false R&D tax incentive claims.
He received a 29-month prison sentence, with 18 months to serve.
Yes, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) disqualified him from being an approved Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) auditor in 2018.
Direct negative reviews are scarce due to the B2B nature of his operations, but his fraud conviction has fueled distrust
He has been consistently covered in major outlets from 2017 to 2018, with reports labeling him a “Melbourne accountant” who “rorted” millions, implying systemic deception.
Regulatory and Compliance Screening
Litigation and Legal Proceedings
Reputational and Adverse Media Risks
Geographic and Jurisdictional Risk
What you see here scratches the surface
We offer reward for actionable intel
Arjuna Samarakoon, a registered tax agent, jailed for 29 months in 2017 for fraudulently claiming ~$550 K
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Ex-Melbourne tax agent Arjuna Samarakoon jailed for defrauding ATO via R&D tax incentive scheme.
Arjuna Samarakoon hit with A$5M tax bill over undeclared diamond-dealing income.
Other Red-Flags and Adverse News
Based on user engagement on this review profile, ProConsumer will decide to publish its Risk Audit report for public if a threshold engagement, traffic and user input is achieved.
Known Assets: [Real estate, investments, companies]
Suspicious Transactions
Liabilities: [Bankruptcies, defaults, debts]
Wealth Sources: [Legitimate / Unclear / High-risk]
Bank Relationships
Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) (UBOs)
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Business Model Assessment
All comments are user-generated content and may not be verified. They represent the personal opinions of the public and should not be relied upon. These comments do not influence or determine our overall rating.
1.3
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1.7
2.7
Highly experienced
Well-recognized name
Faced allegations of scamming others
Allegedly sold fake silver
Sued multiple times
Unregulated industry
Alarming number of complaints online
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Arjuna Samarakoon’s background includes a conviction for tax fraud and regulatory sanctions for dealing with proceeds of crime, which substantially damages his professional credibility.
1/5
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2/5
Although Arjuna Samarakoon once held respected roles as a tax agent and business director, his conviction for tax fraud and subsequent disqualification by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission underscore systemic ethical and compliance failures, suggesting ongoing legal, reputational, and anti‑money‑laundering risks for anyone linked to his ventures.
Speaking frankly, anyone with a conviction for defrauding government incentives should be transparent and accountable before asking others to trust them again. Right now, that trust feels misplaced.
Having read about Samarakoon’s case, it’s hard to view him as a credible financial professional. A past fraud conviction overshadows any experience he might claim, and transparency seems lacking.
I was surprised to learn about Arjuna Samarakoon’s history; his conviction for defrauding the Australian Taxation Office raises serious concerns about his professional integrity. Such actions understandably damage trust in anyone claiming financial expertise.
Arjuna Samarakoon is the type of fraudster who exploits the gray areas of financial regulation. The dossier outlines clear patterns: fake authority, unverifiable partnerships, and constant name-shifting. Every engagement I had with him led to dead-ends, broken promises, and suspicious silence when things got real. He weaponizes ambiguity—be extremely cautious.
4/5
Why isn’t this bigger news?? Arjuna Samarakoon’s scam cost MILLIONS. Yet no one talks about the weak auditing systems that let this happen. Every property he bought should be sold off and money returned. Zero sympathy.
Although he oversaw millions in revenue pre-scandal (reported AUD 8–10 million via BPO Connect), post-conviction activity shows no shift toward remediation or restitution.Instead, arrests, frozen assets, and dodged bankruptcy filings—but no apology, repayment, or rebuilding. That absence speaks volumes: no accountability made, trust remains broken.
BPO Connect clients report “incomplete or sloppy work,” ghosting when questioned, and blaming clients when issues surfaced These user reports align with a pattern: take on projects, under-deliver, and vanish when accountability is due. That’s not just risk—it’s predatory opportunism under a professional veneer.Samarakoon isn’t just a convicted fraudster—he remains under regulatory radar. For consumers, employees, investors, or partners, the prudent approach is avoidance until full transparency and resolution occur.
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