John Friedrich was an German-Australian businessman who was arrested for fraud 1991 for his involvement in unsecured loans taken out by the National Safety Council.

When Friedrich's misappropriation was discovered, he went on the run, evading police for one week. Many Australians will remember seeing his face on nightly news bulletins as a national manhunt proceeded. Friedrich was eventually captured when he was identified by a Melbourne taxi driver.

Friedrich's fraud involved securing loans with nonexistant safety equipment (notably helicopters). Several Million Australian dollars were involved.

John Friedrich committed suicide in 1991.