An Illawarra man has been charged with fraud after allegedly falsely claiming he had COVID-19 to avoid going to work.
Police say that on Monday, the 23-year-old allegedly sent a text message to his employer, stating he had contracted COVID-19 and was unable to go to work in Newcastle.
“His co-workers were stood down and self-isolated while awaiting their test results, and several locations near his place of employment required deep cleaning,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“Later that day, the man allegedly sent another text to his employer advising his second test returned a negative result. Subsequent inquiries confirmed the man never received a positive test result.”
The matter was referred to the NSW Police Force, with officers attached to Wollongong Police District commencing an investigation.
The man attended Wollongong Police Station, where he was arrested and charged with conveying false information that a person or property is in danger.
The West Wollongong man was granted bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on September 14.
