Sy Giang Nguyen, once a respected IT operations manager at the Australian charity genU, stands accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. Court documents reveal that Nguyen, alongside Geelong businessman Keith Greenwood, allegedly siphoned up to $14.5 million from the charity by purchasing IT products that were never delivered. This revelation has rocked the community, casting a shadow over Nguyen’s previously celebrated public persona.
Nguyen and Greenwood have recently agreed to a settlement, paying nearly $6 million to genU, as per a civil claim filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria last year. Despite this resolution, both men remain under investigation by Victoria Police’s financial crime squad, a probe that began in February 2023. Nguyen’s lawyer, Roger Vrachnas, and Greenwood’s legal representative, Colin Almond, have both declined to comment on the ongoing case.
Nguyen’s Complex Web of Relationships
Nguyen’s life story is as compelling as it is complex. Arriving in Australia as a Vietnamese refugee in the early 1970s, he managed to weave a network of high-profile connections, including ties with the Geelong Football Club and access to exclusive venues like Crown casino. His relationships extended beyond the professional sphere, maintaining long-term romantic ties with two women in separate cities for over two decades.
His involvement with the Geelong Football Club was particularly noteworthy. Nguyen was not just a financial backer but also a social coordinator and friend to some of the club’s most prominent players. His connections extended to other sports figures, with numerous calls logged to tennis player Bernard Tomic and NBA star Andrew Bogut. Yet, despite his deep integration into these circles, there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the athletes involved.
The Alleged Fraud and Its Impact
genU, one of Australia’s largest service providers under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, discovered the alleged fraud in 2021 when suspicious transactions were flagged by an employee. The organization, which employs 5,500 staff, insists that the fraud has not impacted its ability to provide services to vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, Greenwood’s business, Ryrie Office Machines, has also come under scrutiny. Accusations of oversupplying and overcharging for IT hardware and software have been levied against the company. Despite these allegations, Greenwood has long been a respected figure in the Geelong community, known for his sponsorship of local sports and cultural institutions.
Nguyen’s Lavish Lifestyle
Nguyen’s lifestyle was nothing short of opulent. He maintained a private villa at Crown casino, complete with a personal butler and luxurious amenities. His spending habits were extravagant, from dining at Melbourne’s finest restaurants to purchasing high-end fashion. In 2015, he even set a Guinness World Record by consuming the world’s most expensive cocktail at Crown’s Club 23.
His connections within Crown Resorts were significant, including friendships with senior executives like Peter Crinis and Ishan Ratnam. However, there is no evidence to suggest that these relationships were linked to the alleged fraud. Crown Resorts has distanced itself from Nguyen, banning him from the casino in 2022.
Personal and Legal Repercussions
Nguyen’s personal life has also unraveled. A long-term partner from the Mornington Peninsula recently discovered his infidelity and the existence of another family in Geelong. This revelation has prompted her to consider legal action to recover over $800,000 she claims to have lent Nguyen.
As Nguyen’s world collapses, the implications of his alleged actions continue to unfold. The legal proceedings and investigations will likely have lasting impacts on all parties involved, including genU, Geelong Football Club, and Crown Resorts.
With his once-gilded lifestyle now a memory, Nguyen’s story serves as a cautionary tale of ambition, deceit, and the eventual unraveling of a carefully constructed double life.
