ASIC bans adviser for bogus insurance applications
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has permanently banned a Sydney financial adviser after an investigation found he submitted 12 applications for life insurance policies in the names of people who did not exist.
The adviser, Pavan Vyas of West Pennant Hills, was an authorised representative of Lionsgate Financial Group and HNW Planning and arranged insurance cover for the clients of the two groups.
ASIC’s investigation found that while working for Lionsgate, Vyas submitted the 12 applications along with three further applications in the names of friends without their knowledge in an effort to earn commissions on the applications.
ASIC claimed Vyas also submitted other false documents to hide the false applications, including variations to the insurance applications and falsified emails from the fictitious clients.
Vyas has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal over the banning, with ASIC stating its investigation into Vyas is continuing.
Recommended for you
AZ NGA has partnered with an Adelaide-based accounting and financial planning practice as it expands its presence in South Australia.
The central bank has released its decision on the official cash rate following its November monetary policy meeting.
ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of a Melbourne-based managed investment scheme operator over a failure to pay industry levies and meet its statutory audit and financial reporting lodgement obligations.
Melbourne advice firm Hewison Private Wealth has marked four decades of service after making its start in 1985 as a “truly independent advice business” in a largely product-led market.

