A man and woman have been charged after allegedly obtaining more than $40,000 in fraudulent payments after claiming federal funding for disaster relief schemes in the state’s Central West.
In October this year, officers attached to Chifley Western Region Enforcement Squad (RES) commenced an investigation into reports of alleged fraudulent claims submitted to NSW Government disaster recovery grant schemes.
During the investigation, officers identified that a 24-year-old man had allegedly claimed $26,000 in fraudulent payments, while a 33-year-old woman had allegedly claimed more than $14,000.
Following extensive investigations, officers arrested the man and woman during a vehicle stop at Redmond Place at Orange, about 8.20pm yesterday (Friday 26 December 2021).
In a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located methylamphetamine (ice), cannabis, heroin and prescription medication.
The items were seized for further examination.
The pair were both taken to Orange Police Station, where the man was charged with 10 offences;
- Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception (x4),
- make false document to obtain financial advantage,
- deal with property proceeds of crime,
- possess prohibited drug,
- possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance (x2), and,
- breach of bail.
He was bail refused and is due to appear at Dubbo Bail Court today (Saturday 27 November 2021).
The woman was charged with five counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and make false document to obtain financial advantage.
She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Orange Local Court on Monday 6 December 2021.
The pair are known to each other.
