AN Albury woman has been charged with deception offences over an alleged $3 million fraud involving government payments to her family day care business.
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The woman, 27, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police yesterday, with several properties connected to her raided by officers in Albury-Wodonga.
AFP officers restrained cash and property worth $2.2 million, which included cash of about $2.1 million and a car worth about $90,000.
Police will allege in court the woman had fraudulently claimed Special Child Care Subsidies worth $3 million through her family day care business since December 2013.
Several pieces of evidence were seized by police yesterday and the woman was charged with three counts of obtaining a financial benefit by deception.
The AFP had conducted a joint investigation with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Social Services after payment irregularities were detected.
AFP Fraud and Anti-Corruption Centre manager Linda Champion had a warning for those committing fraud.
“The AFP, DSS and DHS have worked together closely on this serious and complex investigation, bringing together the resources and expertise of each agency to undertake today’s action,” she said.
“Investigations like this send a clear message to anyone who is thinking of engaging in this type of criminal activity.
“Collectively we have proven our ability to investigate and take action, as we have done today.”
DHS general manager Hank Jongen said such behaviour would not be tolerated.
“We will continue our efforts to make sure payments are correct,” he said.
“If there are people out there who think they can get away with fraud, they need to think again.
“It is only a matter of time before we catch up with them, and when we do, we will make sure they are dealt with in the courts.”
The woman will appear before Albury Local Court on May 26.
