John Rose

The John Friedrich case is considered one of the most spectacular cases of fraud in Australia's history. In the 1980s, Friedrich immigrated illegally from Germany, rose from an employee of a small rescue organization to the celebrated head of the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA). With spectacular high-tech equipment that would have made even James Bond jealous, Friedrich becomes a national hero. But first doubts arise.

Also watch the SBS documentary Australia's Greatest Conman? on SBS on Demand.

Hero or Conman? The Case of John Friedrich tells the story of the spectacular rise and collapse of the National Safety Council of Australia under the leadership of the enigmatic John Friedrich.

During the 1980s, the NSCA became famous for its bright yellow helicopters, dramatic rescue operations and elite emergency crews. To many Australians, it appeared to be an essential national institution. Behind the scenes, however, Friedrich was building an empire fuelled by deception, hidden debts and a false identity.

Combining gripping first-hand accounts with archival audio and investigative reporting, this three-part series revisits one of Australia’s most fascinating true-crime stories and explores how charisma, ambition and public trust enabled an unprecedented fraud to flourish.