A group of alleged scammers stood to make millions of dollars from false child sexual abuse claims, police say.
The so-called "claims farmers" allegedly encouraged former young offenders, inmates and school students to file false compensation claims for historical child sexual abuse.
Members of the syndicate coached claimants on how to make a fraudulent application and received a benefit for referring them to various Sydney law firms, according to police allegations.
The group allegedly stood to make $3.75 million from the false claims made against the NSW departments of justice and education.
Their alleged ringleader Fotis Frank Antonios, 54, faces 21 charges of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage and publishing false material over the alleged fraud scheme.
Police believe he netted more than $260,000 through the false claims and had submitted a falsified application for a further $150,000 when he was arrested in February.
Court documents outline an allegedly false claim to the NSW justice department for alleged sexual abuse at a boys' home which paid out more than $415,000 to a legal firm.
More than $244,000 was paid to Mr Antonios after the firm deducted legal fees.
Mr Antonios' matter was briefly mentioned in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and adjourned to May 22.
He did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until he returns to court.
Seven other alleged syndicate members also faced court on Tuesday to have their matters put over to the...
Date: April 19, 2025 As Richmond County authorities continue to defend jailing a woman who was shot in the face, new details are emerging about the alleged violence and lies that put her behind ba...