Laptop, Phone of Whitehaven Hoaxer Seized

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has seized the laptop and phone of Jonathan Moylan, the anti-coal activist behind the Whitehaven hoax.

Moylan said that ASIC officers raided his northern NSW camp and has seized some of his properties. He added that he feels there would serious consequences that would affect him.

The commission has begun an investigation following the Whitehaven hoax. ASIC said it wants to determine whether Moylan broke any laws. The press release contained the ANZ logo and a contact number of an ANZ member.

In truth, it was Moylan who was manning the phone and was the one who answered inquiries from journalists.

A couple of days ago, a hoax press release indicated that the ANZ Bank has withdrawn its financial support for the Whitehaven Coal project. The incident caused Whitehaven shares to drop close to nine percent with a value of some $314 million.

Moylan was quick to claim that it was his idea and that his actions were justified. And although he feels that there would be consequences, he said is more concerned with how Whitehaven’s plans would affect the environment.

Environment advocates have said that Whitehaven’s Maules Creek project would destroy the 1,360-hectares habitat of koalas.

ASIC, meanwhile, did not make any comment on whether it seized Moylan’s properties.