Liberals call in police after fraudulent requests for membership lists

The South Australian Liberal Party has called in police over a significant data breach of party members in major federal electorates.

The South Australian Liberal Party has called in police over a significant data breach of party members in major federal electorates.

Detectives are investigating allegations a “sophisticated” deception of party officials, using fake email addresses, obtained confidential details of more than 2000 members.

Officials said the breach involved alleged fraudulent messages seeking lists of names, addresses, phone numbers and email details although many MPs’ house locations are still secret.

Party sources said the breach hit three federal electorates including the battleground Sturt, held by Liberal James Stevens in Adelaide’s east, and the south-east-based seat of Barker, where Tony Pasin is the local MP.

Members have been hit in Sturt held by Liberal MP James Stevens, pictured with partner, state director Alex May. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Tony Pasin’s electorate of Barker was also hit. Picture: Supplied

Fraudsters also accessed lists from Boothby, an electorate that covers the southern and western suburbs, which the party lost to Labor at the recent federal poll.

A fourth attempt occurred in Grey, where Liberal Rowan Ramsey represents swathes of outback SA, although no details were obtained.

“These requests were subsequently determined to be fraudulently undertaken, involving the electronic impersonation of Liberal Party office bearers,” read an email to members.

Attempts were made for information from Grey, represented by Rowan Ramsey, left. Picture: supplied

Concerns were raised more than a week ago before SA Police were notified on Tuesday. The Australian Federal Police has also been informed.

The newly-formed state executive – the party’s board – were briefed during an emergency phone-meeting on Thursday afternoon before members were emailed on Friday after police approval.

s Liberal candidate Rachel Swift (3rd from left) lost to Labor’s Louise Miller-Frost (centre) in the battleground of Boothby. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

There have been no arrests but party sources suspect a young, disgruntled Liberal member with political aspirations maybe responsible amid a wider factional fight.

Another suspect is an angry, failed internal party job applicant.

The party investigated a similar “misuse” of emails in the Mayo electorate last year.

Under state law, anyone convicted of deception offences faces up to a decade in jail or 15 years in prison in aggravated cases.

Sources said the alarm was raised after a Boothby branch official contacted party headquarters, requesting a new membership list but was told it had already been sent.

Internal checks identified other fake emails, which were said to be “sophisticated” with use of “well worded” emails, genuine-looking sign offs and providing real mobile numbers of branch presidents.

Police have been called in over the “significant data breach”.

In a statement issued in response to The Advertiser’s inquiries, Liberal state director Alex May said it was disappointing but no financial details had been leaked.

“Affected members have been informed directly and the expert advice received is that the accessing of these contact details is unlikely to create a risk of serious harm to individuals,” she said.

“As a party we take these matters seriously and have reported (it) to the relevant authorities, including police.”

Mr Pasin said he hoped police were “able to identify the criminals responsible”.

An SA Police spokesman said Eastern District CIB detectives were investigating and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

“(Detectives) have recently commenced an investigation into deception offences, which involves the alleged release of details of members of a political party,” he said.

Opposition Leader David Speirs declined to comment as did Mr Stevens.