Simon Smith, Computer Crime Defence Expert Witness - Forensic Investigator
Simon Smith is renowned as Australia's most proficient Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Computer Forensic Investigator and Independent Expert Witness. His expertise lies in serving as an expert witness in a range of cases, including data breaches, cyber attacks, hacking, ransomware incidents, online extortion, identity theft, dark web activities, child exploitation material (CEM), cyberstalking, and various other cybercrime cases. Simon has provided testimony in intricate legal matters involving social media, catfishing, online defamation, eCrime, dark web activities, CEM, fraud, and software disputes.
 0410 643 121, 1300 138 944
 [email protected]
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  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on 'A Current Affair', 'Today Show', and 'Today Extras' speaking on all Cyber Crime issues as a resident Forensic Cyber Security and Cyber Fraud IoT Expert
  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on 'Sky News Live with David Speers' discussiing the NotPetya Ransomware as it happens as a Cyber Security Expert from the Melbourne studio
  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on 'The Project' discussing the ellaborate Government Fraud of the ATO Commissioner and the Government scandal to cover up outside the role of the public service, as a Cyber Fraud expert
  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on '7:30 Report' Exclusive on money laundering and the fact that ACORN are hopeless in stopping Cybercrime, Simon Smith customer appeared
  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on 'SBS World News' regarding the Government's miscalculation as to Cyber attack losses
  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on 'Today Tonight' regarding Cyber Bullying in early 2011
  • Simon Smith Simon Smith - featured on 'Radio 2SE on the IoT security risk with Kids Toy

Official Intelligence Pty Ltd, led by principal consultant Simon Smith, delivers independent, court-recognised digital forensic and cybersecurity services to legal practitioners, law enforcement agencies, and corporate clients nationwide. Backed by over 24 years of technical expertise, our team specialises in the forensic examination, validation, and interpretation of digital evidence, including mobile devices, encrypted messaging platforms, network activity, and server-based data.

We are experts in telecommunications evidence, including Call Data Records (CDRs), SMS logs, cell tower locations, and Event-Based Metadata (EBM). Our reports help courts understand the limits and reliability of mobile network records and correct common misinterpretations around timing and location.

We also have deep experience with wearable technology, multimedia content, and secure messaging platforms such as Threema, ANOM, Session, EncroChat, SkyECC, Phantom Secure, Wickr, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, Conversations.im (XMPP), and custom OMEMO-encrypted XMPP systems.

Our cybersecurity services include incident response, breach investigations, and recovery support to minimise disruption and secure your digital assets.

Based in Melbourne, we operate nationwide.
To discuss your matter, contact us on 0410 643 121 or email [email protected].

Digital forensic IT, telecommunications, mobile, cloud, cybersecurity, cybercrime, ransomware, scam and digital fraud, data breach and expert witness services
1300 138 944

Have you or your client been charged with a serious technology or telecommunications related offence? Has your organisation experienced a cyber attack, cybersecurity breach, identity theft, data breach, or computer hacking incident? Do you require an independent IT expert? Have you been affected by corporate espionage? Contact us for a Free Case Assessment.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsmithinvestigator

Also visit: Official Intelligence Pty. Ltd -  SCAMAssist  -  Australian Institute of Cyber Security (AICS)


Simon Smith addresses Australia's cybercrime epidemic, delving into topics such as scams, ransomware, and data breach cybersecurity investigations.

Australians are falling victim to sophisticated phone scammers, leading to the loss of their life savings. Simon Smith sheds light on the state of cybercrime in Australia, bringing some of his clients to the attention of Spotlight. In a discussion with the 7NEWS Spotlight team and award-winning reporter Ross Coulthart, Simon addresses the alarming escalation of the cybercrime epidemic in the country. The financial toll of this rapidly growing crime has surpassed $205 million in the current year alone. Simon plays a crucial role in rescuing a Melbourne woman in the midst of a scam, highlighting the palpable confusion and desperation she experiences. The situation becomes even more distressing when it is revealed that she is a stage 4 cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Simon Smith provides essential insights into the operations of cybercrimes and shares how he approaches and solves such cases.

Simon Smith engages in a discussion with Sky News' David Spears, shedding light on a new breed of ransomware and addressing the cybersecurity breach associated with it.

Reports indicate that Australia has been targeted by the alleged Petya Ransomware attack. This attack is said to exploit the same Server Message Block (SMB) vulnerability that WannaCry utilized. Moreover, it incorporates a variant of EternalBlue, targeting unpatched SMB exploits (port 445) that were leaked by the US. The ransomware not only infects the system locally but also broadcasts itself across networks to identify and compromise local devices.

Simon Smith is recognised as one of Australia's most skilled Digital Forensic Investigator

Simon Smith is an independent cyber expert who assists in digital forensic investigations for cybercrime-related offences, primarily for defence lawyers and members of the public. His work includes preparing expert reports across a wide range of areas, such as software programming and methodology, social media investigations, cyberstalking, online fraud, software disputes, and mobile and computer forensics.

With over 23 years of industry experience, Simon examines whether software performs as intended and conducts detailed investigations into online identities and behaviours. This includes analysis of suspicious email and social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and others. He also investigates cryptocurrency fraud, online scams, document tampering, and digital evidence related to hacking allegations.

Simon has written many expert reports, several of which have been tendered in court, and he has appeared as an expert witness. His reports have also contributed to early resolution of matters before trial.

Simon regularly works on complex cases involving mobile phone tower analysis, call charge records, and location-based forensic data. He also investigates encrypted messaging platforms including ANOM, Phantom Secure, Ciphr, MPC, EncroChat, and secure open source platforms like Conversations.im. His cases often include allegations involving the use of the internet for criminal purposes, including child abuse material, unauthorised system access, cyberstalking, and the use of anonymising tools to facilitate online offences.

Expert Testimony

Simon is capable of providing expert testimony in IT-related matters including social media investigations, cyberstalking, cybercrime, white-collar crime, and dark web activity. He also examines the authenticity of digital evidence and can assess and explain records in relation to their origin and handling.

Simon Smith is known for his work in high-tech cybercrime and digital forensic investigations. He has contributed expert analysis in matters involving ANOM, Special Operation Ironside, source code analysis, mobile forensics, telecommunications, child exploitation material, child abuse material, dark web investigations, cryptography, and online fraud.

Simon Smith has participated in legal proceedings in Australia and New Zealand, including an appearance as an expert witness. He has contributed to cases involving high-tech cybercrime, with a focus on digital forensics. His work includes matters related to online crime, misuse of technology and unauthorised access, production, and solicitation of illegal material. In some cases, his expert reports have led to dismissals or supported plea and sentencing outcomes.

Simon has conducted internet-based investigations and has engaged with agencies including the FBI, AFP, DIA, and local law enforcement. He focuses on providing accurate and technically informed evidence in court proceedings.

He has also been involved in matters relating to access of dark web services including Silk Road, TorChat, and mail2tor. In one case before a New Zealand District Court, he applied reverse engineering and memory analysis to examine digital exhibits and uncover key findings.

Simon has written expert reports in matters involving cybercrime, online fraud, the dark web, child abuse material, reverse engineering, and mobile forensics. He has recently provided expert witness services in Operation Ironside cases involving the ANOM encrypted messaging platform. He was granted AFP clearance to inspect the ANOM source code and has written reports in matters involving multiple co-accused.
ACSC organisation partnership: Simon Smith's organisation 'Official Intelligence Pty. Ltd' is an ACSC organisation partner and provides valuable intelligence to the Australian Government on cyber threats that may be of interest. The ACSC Partnership Program enables a wide range of organisations to engage with the ACSC and fellow partners, drawing on collective understanding, experience, skills and capability to lift cyber resilience across the Australian economy. The community of ACSC partners includes cyber security professionals across government, industry, academia and the research sector. Bringing together the situational awareness, technical expertise and experience of this community allows the public and private sectors to support and learn from each other, sharing insights and collaborating on shared threats and opportunities.
Forensic Expert Panellist for UTS FSS (Forensic Science Society), "Following the Leads: Forensic Science Careers" helping students navigate their way to a career in forensics as a panel speaker for the networking and panel session. Thinking about a career in forensics but still a little unsure what's out there? Then come along to our Forensic Networking Panel to hear from a wide range of different professionals within the forensic science industry! From crime scene operations and odontology, to fingerprints, digital forensics, and research; we have a panellist ready for all your burning career questions!

FaceSweep™ Simon Smith presents at AVSEC 2021 in Dubai with Steven Van Aperen. As the Senior Analyst Programmer and CEO, Simon presented on the world's first proprietary algorithm and machine learning program that identifies and analyses up to 1500 facial data points per second in real time and records a facial profile of every tiny micro-expression unique to that person as they answer a series of screening/vetting questions.

Defence lawyer / complex dark web covert investigation charges: "You did a professional job!  The evidence of Mr. Smith an expert with experience and knowledge greater than [DIA Covert Internet Investigator 1] or [DIA Covert Internet Investigator 2] should be accepted that there is no evidence that TorChat had been used on the computer seized from the defendant. [DIA Covert Internet Investigator 1] points to a page file he located. He provides no context in which the string of characters was found. Mr. Smith in his evidence cast sufficient doubt on the inference drawn that the test of beyond reasonable doubt could be satisfied. [DIA Covert Internet Investigator 1] conceded that he had no evidence of context . Mr. Smith as an expert software engineer further [on inspection of the source code] confirmed that the string required context."
Defence / complex mobile forensics expert witness matter, serious charges: "Firstly, thank you for your amazing dedication to my case, and the extraordinary quality of your Reporting and Findings! I cannot commend you enough. You really are the best - your ability to work out the forensic facts - and to prove incompetence - is just amazing! Thank you for the amazing effort and dedication, which you continue to display on my behalf. You never cease to amaze me! Please have no doubt that your work genuinely surprised my legal team. They were not expecting it. I will forever be indebted to you."
Bitcoin Scam successful case: "We need more people like you who understand crypto and new technology and are able to help those getting trapped by sick financial and regulatory laws. Great work and congratulations on a successful outcome."
Sample of serious offences that Simon Smith has assisted clients with in legal matters:
s 272.8 and s 272.9 Criminal Code Sexual intercourse/ sexual activity with child outside Australia
s 474.25A Criminal Code Using carriage service for sexual activity with a person under 16 years of age
s.474.19(1) Criminal Code - use carriage service for child pornography material (material regarding child under 18 years of age)
s.474.26(1) Criminal Code - use carriage service to procure person under 16 years of age
s.474.27A(1) Criminal Code - use carriage service to transmit indecent communication to person under 16 years of age
 

Serious access and menace charges, unauthorised access:

s.478.1(1) Criminal Code - unauthorised access to, or modification of, restricted data
s.477.3(1) Criminal Code - unauthorised impairment of electronic communication;
s.474.17 Criminal Code - Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence
s 474.24E Criminal Code - Using a carriage service to transmit material and the material is an intimate image
s 474.24F Criminal Code - Using a carriage service to make a threat about an intimate image
s 474.15(1) Criminal Code - Using a carriage service to make a threat to kill
s 474.15(2) Criminal Code - Using a carriage service to make a threat to cause serious harm
s 471.12 Criminal Code - Using a postal service to menace, harass or cause offence
s 474.15(1) Criminal Code - Using a postal service to make a threat to kill
s 474.15(2) Criminal Code - Using a postal service to make a threat to cause serious harm.
s.233BAB(5) Customs Act 1901 - importation of tier 2 goods
Offences pursuant to the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences Against Children) Act 2010
Computer intrusions, Unauthorised modification of data, including destruction of data
Unauthorised impairment of electronic communications, including denial of service attacks

The creation and distribution of malicious software (for example, malware, viruses, ransomware)
Dishonestly obtaining or dealing in personal financial information.

Internet/Digital Forensic Investigations that Simon Smith is able to undertake (sample):
Identify suspect behind cryptocurrency transaction

Identify suspect behind stolen NFT's
Identify suspect behind false email address
Identify suspect behind fake Facebook account
Identify suspect behind fake WhatsApp account
Identify suspect behind fake SnapChat account
Identify suspect behind fake Instagram account
Identify suspect behind fake Twitter account;
Mobile Forensics; encrypted communications and many more.

Get in touch with the Simon Smith

Have a problem? Let's discuss solving it.

Urgent matters call 0410 643 121, 1300 138 944 or email [email protected]

Note: Due to Mr. Smith's workload and specialisation he may not able to accept every job. Criminal Law / Expert Witness services are priority
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Note: We use custom built fraud detection systems to protect our servers and have recorded basic IP details.
All rights reserved. Official Intelligence Pty. Ltd, ABN: 21 136 181 989 - Simon Smith, ABN: 43 645 882 527 : 
A: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Gold Coast E: [email protected] - 1300 138 944 - 0410 643 121