An alleged international conman accused of owing millions of dollars around the world lied his way into the Australian National University to head up a scientific research project with ANU and overseas academics until his deceit was exposed this week.
Australian-born Daniel Besser, who went by the name Dr Daniel Ben-Avraham at the ANU, was coordinating a joint research project involving ANU, Israeli and United States academics.
He had convinced them he had a doctorate in physics, and in the process duped the university out of more than $2000. The ANU and Mr Besser's international colleagues only recently found out he held no scientific qualifications.
Mr Besser is accused of having operated similar scams all over the world, convincing investors, acquaintances and colleagues to pour thousands of dollars into projects on the promise they would reimbursed when non-existent grants came in.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times
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