Who the Hell is Hamish?

The Australian

He was born Hamish Watson, a surfie dude from Sydney – but he could morph into whatever you needed him to be. Hamish is due to be sentenced to jail in early 2019 for swindling a handful of victims out of more than $7m. But these crimes are just the final pages in a resume too thick to staple; for decades he’s duped victims in the US, Canada, Britain, Hong Kong and Australia. How did he do it? How did he evade authorities around the world for so long and what’s he done with all those tens of millions of dollars he stole?

  • 13 minutes 42 seconds
    From The Front: The mystery of ‘Shotgun Johnny’ Regan

    The 1974 murder of ‘Shotgun Johnny’ Regan has never been solved. Now, his family wants answers. That’s where The Australian’s new cold case investigation The Gangster’s Ghost comes in. 

    Subscribers can listen to Episodes 1 and 2 now at gangstersghost.com.au.

    This episode of The Australian's daily news podcast The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. 

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    8 May 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 31 seconds
    From The Front: Hedley Thomas’ new cold case podcast, 'Bronwyn'

    Where is Bronwyn Winfield? The devoted mum has been missing since 1993 – and the man behind The Teacher’s Pet is on the case.  

    Go to theaustralian.com.au/bronwyn to listen. Plus, you can read more about this case and see exclusive stories, maps, timelines, graphics, video and more.

    This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Josh Burton. The multimedia editor is Lia Tsamoglou and original music is composed by Jasper Leak.

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    24 May 2024, 2:30 am
  • 35 seconds
    It's back: The Teacher's Pet returns for Australian listeners

    The Australian's global smash-hit podcast Teacher's Pet returns for Australian audiences on July 1.

    You can find it wherever you got this podcast. Just search for "The Teacher's Pet". 

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    30 June 2023, 3:00 am
  • 38 minutes 45 seconds
    Introducing: My Sister's Secrets

    My Sister's Secrets is the gripping story of one woman's quest to get justice for her sister - and along the way, to uncover the hidden places in her family, and all our families.

    In this first episode, you meet Alexandra Tapp who died at just 32, haunted by the predators in her own family. Now her sister is on a quest for justice. 

    My Sister's Secrets is The Australian's newest podcast. Presented by Virginia Tapscott and Steve Jackson. Search for My Sister's Secrets in your favourite podcast app to listen to Episode 2 now.

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    6 February 2022, 1:00 pm
  • 39 minutes 49 seconds
    Introducing: The Breakdown

    Australian rugby once had $40 million in the bank. Crowds over 100,000. TV audiences of 3 million. Today, the Wallabies have sunk to their lowest world ranking ever. Off the field rugby is a "war zone" with a $20 million deficit last year alone.

    The Breakdown is a gripping podcast investigation from The Australian, exploring just how far "the game they play in heaven" has fallen - and why. Jessica Halloran and Claire Harvey have interviewed everyone from ex-PMs and billionaires to Wallabies legends, boardroom insiders and the volunteers battling to keep the game alive. Raw and emotional, The Breakdown is the new binge-listen everyone will be talking about.

    You can listen to The Breakdown through The Australian app, or search for The Breakdown wherever you listen to podcasts.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 March 2021, 2:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 19 seconds
    Introducing: The Lighthouse

    Theo Hayez is missing in Byron Bay, a beautiful beachside town on Australia’s most easterly mainland point, frequently in the spotlight for its famous residents.

    Theo’s from Brussels. He’s 18 and on a backpacking holiday when he vanishes in May 2019. Behind the scenes, local volunteers who’ve never met Theo begin searching and investigating with his family, parallel to a major police investigation.

    As the search narrows to the area around the 118-year-old Cape Byron Lighthouse, a range of theories emerge.

    At the request of Theo’s family, The Australian National Crime Correspondent David Murray joins the unofficial search party to investigate the mysterious disappearance for a new podcast series. 

    Search "The Lighthouse" to listen now.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    16 November 2019, 12:06 am
  • 36 minutes 42 seconds
    The Reckoning

    For years Hamish McLaren had evaded the law. But not any more. The brutal truth, like a runaway out-of-control limited edition Mercedes McLaren, is bearing down on him. There's no escape.

    Judgement Day for Hamish McLaren has finally arrived.  

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    21 June 2019, 4:45 am
  • 1 hour 33 minutes
    Bonus: Jane
    As a bonus for all listeners, we are publishing the full interview with Jane, recorded in her house north of Sydney. She speaks at length about her experiences of Hamish, the impact it had on her life, and how she hopes to begin moving on.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 April 2019, 3:50 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    The Definition of Evil

    It may appear that Hamish got away with his schemes for decades. But he didn't. He kept getting caught out, time and again.

    It's self evident that many systems failed to apprehend this serial offender. How could this be so?  

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    29 March 2019, 3:57 am
  • 40 minutes 1 second
    On the Couch with Hamish

    He killed off his parents, by air and by sea. He ran over his twin brother Phil, and killed him, too.

    What are we to make of these fanciful stories Hamish made up about his life? We've called in experts. And we've gathered bevy of ex-girlfriends to give us their take on their time with Hamish.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 March 2019, 3:50 am
  • 50 minutes 51 seconds
    Kevin from Queensland Goes to Canada

    Skiing was Hamish Watson's great love. Before he was a puffed-up futures trader in Sydney, he was a pumped-up muscle-bound ski instructor, in Australia and Canada.

    The ski fields of Canada were his home away from home, a place where he could show off the millions he'd stolen. He flew in on private jets, he bought properties, he handed out Rolex watches and he regaled the locals with tales of life as a billionaire who was mates with Tom and Nicole.

    But it wasn't all play and no work for Hamish in Canada. He stole millions, roping in a high end car dealership, and drawing the attention of a spy and a former Australian Prime Minister.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 March 2019, 3:50 am
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