A Kempsey man accused of lodging $24,500 worth of fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief payments will face court today.
NSW Police say that in February this year, detectives from the Mid North Coast Police District commenced an investigation into alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster compensation by the 23-year-old man.
On Sunday, police were called to a home in Kempsey following an unrelated domestic incident. Upon arrival, police arrested a 23-year-old man and took him to Kempsey Police Station.
He was charged with 13 offences, including:
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception (x5)
- Obtain a financial advantage by deception (x4)
- Deal in identification info and use it to commit fraud (x2)
- Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (x2)
Police will allege in court the Kempsey man lodged several bushfire disaster relief claims through both government and not-for-profit agencies whereby he fraudulently obtained $24,500.
He was refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today.
Anyone with information about fraud related offences is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
