ASIC has banned Mr Anthony John Downey, of Brighton, Victoria, from providing financial services for a period of six years following an investigation. Mr Downey was, until 3 June 2015, a director of Platinum Mortgage Securities Limited.

ASIC found that Mr Downey engaged in misleading conduct by providing false documents to support an application for an Australian visa, knowing that the documents would be provided to an Australian government department.

ASIC found that the relevant documents prepared by Mr Downey falsely represented that the visa applicant had made a qualifying investment with Platinum Mortgage Securities Limited.

ASIC Commissioner Greg Tanzer said, 'ASIC expects directors and officers of financial services licensees to act with integrity when performing their role and, when they fail to do so, we will act to remove them from the industry.'

The matter was reported to ASIC by Platinum Mortgage Securities Limited.

Mr Downey has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for a review of ASIC’s decision.

Editor's note 1:

On 18 August 2016, Mr Downey filed an application in the AAT for a review of ASIC's decision.

Editor's note 2:

On 26 June 2017, the AAT affirmed the banning of Mr Downey from providing financial services and reduced the banning period to four years, commencing on 15 August 2016.