Man accused of using stolen identities to defraud $47,000 in Covid grants as he is hit with a shocking 118 offences
- Man, 31, ‘used stolen identities to claim Covid grants’
- Police say applications were lodged in September 2021
- 87 people have been accused of defrauding the schemes
A NSW man is facing more than 100 fraud charges, accused of making false claims for financial relief schemes introduced to help people through the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
NSW man accused of using stolen identities to defraud $47,000 in Covid grants faces 118 charges
NSW Police arrested a 31-year-old man at Silverwater jail on Monday and charged him with 118 offences, including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the applications for government grants were made in his name along with numerous stolen identities to claim $47,020 worth of Covid-19 grants in September 2021.
He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday.
A NSW man has been arrested and is facing more than 100 fraud charges, including using stolen identities to claim $47,020 worth of Covid-19 relief grants (file photo of police pictured)
NSW Police arrested the 31-old-man at Silverwater jail on Monday and he was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court (pictured) on Tuesday.
In 2021, detectives established Strike Force Sainsbery to investigate fraudulent applications made against NSW government financial relief schemes introduced to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
Investigators have since laid 1,451 charges against 87 people accused of defrauding the schemes. All remain before the courts.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said investigations under Strike Force Sainsbery were continuing.
‘This should serve as a lesson to anyone who has submitted or is thinking of lodging fraudulent claims – it is only a matter of time before our investigators catch up to you and put you before the courts,’ he said.
In 2021, detectives established Strike Force Sainsbery to investigate fraudulent applications made to NSW government financial relief schemes introduced to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (file photo of a Covid testing station pictured)
