Police have charged a man over alleged fraud offences relating to COVID-19 relief payments in the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra areas last year.
Investigations began in October 2021 into claims made to Service NSW for COVID-19 Business Relief Grants and Test and Isolate payments.
It will be alleged payments were made in 11 different names, totalling more than $44,700.
Following extensive inquiries, officers attached to South Coast Police District’s Proactive Crime Team – with assistance from South East Region Enforcement Squad (SERES) – executed two search warrants at homes on St Andrews Place, Corrimal and Paperbark Street, Albion Park Rail, from 8am Friday 14 January 2022.
A 31-year-old man was arrested at the Corrimal home.
During searches of the properties, police seized a motorcycle – allege to be the proceeds of crime – as well as mobile phones, laptops and prohibited drugs.
The Corrimal man was taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 2 March 2022).
Inquiries continue.
Anyone with information about suspected fraudulent activity 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 information via NSW Police social media pages.
.jpg?sfvrsn=97edde42_5)
