Victorian man arrested over alleged $700,000 NDIS fraud

A 48-year-old man from Victoria has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) of approximately $700,000. Police allege the man, who is an NDIS participant himself, submitted fraudulent invoices for services that were never rendered over a two-year span.

Detectives from the Hamilton Crime Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), made the arrest at a property near Horsham on Wednesday. Investigators claim the man established two businesses to facilitate the scheme, channeling funds received from the NDIS into his personal bank accounts. Police also intend to allege that the man dealt with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

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Our team worked extensively on this investigation to stop this person from allegedly defrauding a scheme designed to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community for his own financial gain.

Detective Sergeant Mark James of the Hamilton Crime Investigation Unit stated that police and the NDIA are dedicated to identifying and holding accountable individuals who exploit the NDIS for personal financial gain. He highlighted the extensive investigation undertaken to prevent the alleged fraud against a scheme designed to support some of the community's most vulnerable members.

An NDIA spokesperson reiterated the agency's commitment to combating fraud, noting that the vast majority of NDIS participants and providers act honestly. The spokesperson assured that the agency would continue to utilize intelligence, data analytics, and joint investigations to detect and disrupt fraudulent activities, thereby safeguarding NDIS funding for those who depend on it. Police are urging anyone with information regarding fraudulent activity to contact Crime Stoppers.

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The vast majority of NDIS participants and providers do the right thing and use scheme funding appropriately. We will continue to use intelligence, data analytics and joint investigations to identify, detect and disrupt fraud, so NDIS funding is protected for the Australians who rely on it.