A Taiwanese national has been charged for allegedly making false claims to more than $130,000 in COVID-19 disaster payments and pandemic leave payments.
The 34-year-old Sydney man is believed to be involved with a criminal syndicate stealing money through COVID-19 relief payments.
He was arrested and charged in relation to the fraud allegations on Wednesday when AFP officers searched a Sydney CBD unit.
During the search officers found designer handbags and accessories, more than 20 mobile phones and $77,500 in cash.
An investigation from Taskforce Integrity began when information indicated that payments were being made to false identities.
Police will allege the syndicate was using the stolen identities, claiming payments in their names and moving the funds to bank accounts controlled by the criminal group.
Taskforce Integrity is a joint Australian Federal Police and Services Australia initiative to identify and target serious criminal activity within the welfare system.
AFP Detective Inspector Rachel Ball said the force was committed to finding the people and organisations taking advantage of Australia’s welfare service.
“Fraud of Commonwealth programs is an area of key focus for the AFP and its partners, and we will be relentless in pursuing any people who seek to exploit our welfare system,” she said.
The 34-year-old will...
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