A Lake Macquarie woman who allegedly obtained $20,000 in fraudulent bushfire damage claims has been charged with multiple offences – with Police saying she had applied for well over $50,000 in relief funds.
“In April 2020, detectives attached to Strike Force Roche was established to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster compensation,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Police commenced an investigation into claims made by a 27-year-old woman through her Charlestown business.
“About 2.15pm yesterday, strike force detectives arrested a woman in Charlestown and she was taken to Belmont Police Station.”
The woman from Kahibah was charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception and four counts of attempt dishonestly obtain property by deception.
Police will allege in court that the woman lodged several bushfire disaster relief claims whereby she fraudulently obtained $20,000.
“It is further alleged four applications were declined totalling $32,000,” NSW Police said.
She was granted conditional bail to appear in Wellington Local Court on January 19 next year.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
