Introduction

5 Sided Square Pty Ltd, a Brisbane-based private Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) agency, was commissioned by 27 clients to conduct an in-depth eight-month investigation into Panther Trading International, managed by Phillip Garry Crane. Our findings reveal a pattern of deceit involving the use of fictitious companies and misappropriated financial license numbers, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of Crane’s operations.

Throughout our investigation, we uncovered evidence indicative of money laundering and a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Crane, whereby funds from new investors were used to pay returns to earlier ones, creating a false impression of profitability absent any real business activities. Clients were falsely reassured their investments were safe within a non-existent trust, and presented with fraudulent loan agreements, thus exposing Crane's deceptive assurances.

Furthermore, our investigation revealed Crane's practices of tax evasion and harassment of clients seeking to withdraw funds, violating multiple financial regulations and eroding investor trust. Particularly concerning was Crane’s interference with clients’ access to their Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF), effectively immobilising their retirement savings and restricting their financial autonomy.

Given the severity of these findings, an active police investigation has been initiated, with clients lodging individual reports detailing their struggles with Panther Trading International. This legal involvement underscores the gravity of Crane's alleged fraudulent activities.

Moreover, it has come to light that Crane’s purported legal representation is not a licensed legal professional but rather a self-proclaimed medium who advocates for the unrecognised and fringe 'sovereign law.' This dubious legal stance, coupled with Crane’s use of Sovereign Citizen defences, only adds to the concerns about his credibility and legal strategy.

This pattern is not isolated but part of a history of problematic encounters with authorities, underscoring the necessity for a thorough investigation. Our comprehensive report details these activities, providing evidence of Crane’s and Panther Trading International’s deceptive practices, aimed at protecting investors and holding those accountable for exploiting them.

Phillip Gary Crane

Entities and Trust

(2) Panther Trading International Co (HK)

Our investigation has conclusively determined that Panther Trading International Co (HK), frequently cited in documents such as Trading Agreements, Loan Agreements, Trust Deeds, and newsletters by Phillip Garry Crane, is a fictitious entity. It is not registered as a business in Hong Kong or any other jurisdiction. This conclusion is substantiated by its inclusion on the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) scam alert list, affirming its nonexistence and fraudulent representation.

Misuse of Financial License Number:

In efforts to lend credibility to his deceptive operations, Phillip Garry Crane has utilized a financial license number in association with Panther Trading International Co (HK). Our thorough investigation confirms that this license number is actually registered to Monex Boom, a legitimate entity based in Hong Kong. Monex Boom has categorically denied any affiliation with Phillip Garry Crane or Panther Trading International Co (HK). Crane’s appropriation of Monex Boom’s license number constitutes a clear case of identity theft, aimed at misleading clients and regulatory bodies by creating an illusion of regulatory compliance.

Prolonged Use of Fictitious Company:

Phillip Garry Crane has consistently operated under the guise of the non-existent Panther Trading International Co (HK) from 2005 to 2020. This extended deception underscores the systematic and deliberate nature of Crane’s fraudulent activities. Over these fifteen years, Crane’s persistent use of this fabricated company name has facilitated the evasion of regulatory oversight and the continuous deception of his clients, revealing his calculated intent to sustain this fraud.

The uncovering of Panther Trading International Co (HK) as a fictitious company, combined with the illicit use of a genuine financial license number and the extended duration of this fraud, clearly illustrates Phillip Garry Crane’s deliberate fraudulent intentions and the sophisticated nature of his scheme.

Implications for Clients:

Clients of Panther Trading International Co (HK) have been subjected to an intricate and enduring fraud, significantly impacting their financial security.

(3) Avatar International Business Consultants Pty Ltd

Phillip Garry Crane has been orchestrating his investment scheme through Avatar International Business Consultants Pty Ltd, as confirmed by documents including a "Panther Trading" paper dated August 1, 2013, which identifies Avatar International as trading under "Panther Financial Trading." This document cites its Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Company Number (ACN), linking directly to Avatar International Business Consultants Pty Ltd, which was registered in Western Australia on March 30, 2005.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) records show Phillip Crane as the long-standing Director and Secretary from its inception until its deregistration on August 16, 2020. During this period, all investment funds from Crane's clients were directed into an ANZ Bank account under this company’s name. This setup, alongside the exposure of the non-existent "Panther Trading International Co (HK)" and the inactive "Panther Trading International Limited" in the UK, indicates that Avatar International has been the principal conduit for Crane’s fraudulent activities.

Crane’s use of various "Panther Trading" entities and their overseas connections have been part of a deliberate strategy to disguise the true nature of his operations and mislead investors about the legitimacy of the companies managing their investments. The swift reincorporation of the dormant UK entity, "Panther Trading International Limited," merely 17 days following the deregistration of Avatar International, suggests a continued effort by Crane to perpetuate his fraudulent scheme under a new guise.

In summary, the evidence from ASIC and the documented associations of Avatar International Business Consultants Pty Ltd clearly depict Phillip Garry Crane’s direct involvement in a sophisticated and deceptive investment operation aimed at misleading clients and regulatory authorities.

(1) Panther Trading International Limited (UK)

Our investigation has confirmed that Phillip Garry Crane has established a company named "Panther Trading International Limited" in the United Kingdom, incorporated on August 27, 2020, under company number 12840966. Official records list its registered address at "71-75 Shelton Street, London, Greater London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ," which is a serviced office location, indicating that the company lacks a genuine physical presence or operational base at this site.

Dorment Company:

Since its inception, Panther Trading International Limited (UK) has declared itself dormant, consistently reporting no trading activities to authorities, which confirms its lack of legitimate business operations.

Furthermore, this situation mirrors the pattern observed with "Panther Trading International Co (HK)," where Phillip Crane misappropriated a financial license number belonging to Monex Boom, a bona fide Hong Kong-based company. This misuse of Monex Boom's financial license number is a deliberate attempt by Crane to present his business as legitimately regulated and compliant within the UK.

Additionally, the incorporation of Panther Trading International Limited (UK) occurred just 17 days after the de-registration of Avatar International Business Consultants Pty Ltd by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Avatar International was a principal entity through which Crane managed his clients' investments. This sequential corporate activity suggests a strategic relocation of Crane's fraudulent operations to a new jurisdiction to continue his deceptive practices.

These actions—establishing a nominally dormant entity, utilising a non-operational office address, misappropriating licensing credentials, and the timing of corporate transitions—unequivocally indicate that Panther Trading International Limited (UK) is being used as a conduit for Crane’s ongoing fraudulent investment schemes, designed to evade regulatory oversight and perpetuate financial misconduct.

(4) Panther Trading International Trust

After a comprehensive analysis of the trust deed and related documents concerning the Panther International Trading Trust (Trust Deed Number 5000100), we have reached the unequivocal conclusion that the trust in question is invalid and appears to have been established with fraudulent intent.

The trust deed is riddled with numerous discrepancies, legal shortcomings, and red flags that render it void and unenforceable. The act of backdating the trust deed to October 10, 2015, when it was purportedly created in January 2023, constitutes a wilful act of deception and misrepresentation. Moreover, the forged Settlor's signature, the involvement of deregistered and fraudulent trustee companies, and the lack of proper trustee signatures all contribute to the trust's invalidity.

The inconsistencies in the stated jurisdiction and governing law, with references to both Belize and Queensland, Australia, raise serious doubts about the trust's intended jurisdiction and its validity under the chosen law. Furthermore, the inclusion of an invalid statutory declaration and the absence of notarisation of the trust deed's signatures further undermine its legitimacy and legal standing.

The assertion that the trust is a "Swedish trust" is inherently misleading, as Sweden does not recognise the legal concept of trusts in the same way as common law jurisdictions. This false claim, in conjunction with the numerous other irregularities, strongly indicates that the trust was created with fraudulent intent and designed to facilitate illegal activities such as fraud, money laundering, or other illicit purposes.

In view of these findings, it is abundantly clear that the Panther International Trading Trust is not a valid legal entity and should not be recognised as a legitimate trust. The document appears to be a sham, crafted to create a false impression of legitimacy while enabling fraudulent activities orchestrated by Phillip Crane to avoid financial obligations and evade payments owed to clients.

We unequivocally advise against engaging with or relying upon this trust, as it lacks any legal basis and exposes all parties involved to significant legal and financial risks.

Clients of Panther Trading International

Many clients have been experiencing significant delays in processing your withdraw requests from Panther Trading International. Despite repeated attempts to communicate with the company and its representatives, particularly Phillip Crane, you may have been given various excuses for these delays. These reasons might include unfavourable market conditions, claims that withdrawals cannot be processed at the expense of other clients, or that the process is controlled by unnamed trustees. In some cases, you may have been informed that your request is being processed but will take an extended period, such as 120 days, to complete. Additionally, you may have been in communication with administrative staff who have been unresponsive or have provided inconsistent information.

It is with great regret that we must inform you that Panther Trading International appears to be operating as a fraudulent entity. The extended delays, lack of transparency, and inconsistent communication from the company and its representatives are strong indicators of unethical and potentially illegal practices.

If you are a client of Panther Trading International and have been affected by these issues, we strongly encourage you to take immediate action to protect your investments and seek recourse. As a first step, we recommend contacting 5 Sided Square, they can provide you with further information and guidance on how to proceed. They can assist you in gathering evidence and understanding your legal options.

Additionally, we urge you to file a police report against Phillip Gary Crane, as he appears to be a key figure in the fraudulent activities of Panther Trading International. Provide the authorities with any relevant documentation, correspondence, and evidence you have collected regarding your investments and attempts to withdraw funds.

To further protect yourself and verify the status of your investments, we recommend directly asking Phillip Gary Crane to provide concrete proof that your investments are secure and that the company is operating legitimately. Request official documentation, such as bank statements, audited financial reports, and any other relevant paperwork that can substantiate the safety and validity of your investments.

We understand that this is a distressing and challenging situation, but please know that you are not alone. There are resources and organisations available to support you through this process. Do not hesitate to reach out for help and take the necessary steps to protect your financial well-being.