NSW Police detectives have charged a 57-year-old Central Coast man as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged fraud of NSW Government COVID-19 financial relief payment schemes.
In November 2021, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad and all Sydney Metropolitan Regions established Strike Force Sainsbery to investigate fraudulent applications made against NSW Government financial relief schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
“Following extensive inquiries, detectives travelled to Gosford Police Station following the arrest of a 57-year-old on an unrelated matter yesterday,” NSW Police said in a statement today.
The man was subsequently charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, publish false and misleading material to obtain advantage and make false documents to obtain financial advantage.
Police will allege in court that the man made fraudulent applications for the Small Business COVID-19 Support grant and the COVID-19 Small Business Hardship grant – totalling $25,000 – using falsified information and documentation.
Police say the man also allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for JobSaver payments of $3,000 a fortnight, which was not approved or paid.
Further, the man allegedly fraudulently signed and submitted a document for the purpose of obtaining a reduction in rent.
Police say investigations under Strike Force Sainsbery are ongoing and further arrests are expected.
