More than $5 million in cash, gold, silver and cryptocurrency has been targeted as part of an ongoing investigation into a fraud syndicate accused of ripping off the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The revelation comes as tough new laws are passed to combat those exploiting the national program, with fraudsters now facing more than $15 million in fines and up to five years behind bars.
Operation Benz: Six-month investigation
The investigation led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and codenamed Operation Benz began six months ago when authorities zeroed in on an NDIS participant who was allegedly submitting claims for services that were not being provided.
According to police, the services were being claimed through a legitimate NDIS business being run by the same person, meaning the individual is effectively accused of submitting fake claims to themselves and keeping all the money.
Raids across Queensland
The revelations have prompted raids on several homes and businesses across Brisbane, Cairns and far north Queensland, where police seized close to $200,000 in cash, cryptocurrency, gold and silver a week ago.
While the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid, authorities believe this is all linked to a larger criminal syndicate suspected of ripping off more than $5 million from the NDIS.
Minister's warning
NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said Australians would be shocked by the evidence emerging from the investigation.
“These investigations are a direct result of the investments that we’re making in enforcement capability so that we can get rid of fraud in the system, kick out criminals, grifters, people doing the wrong thing for good,” McAllister said.
She revealed fraud is estimated at around eight per cent of the total NDIS budget, down from estimates of 15 to 20 per cent under the previous government.
“We’ve had to make significant investments to stand up a sophisticated enforcement capability. None of that existed when we came to government,” she said.
“We’ve now got around 500 people working on these issues within the NDIA. When we came to government there were just 30.”
She had a stern warning for those seeking to defraud the system: “There is nothing lower than seeking to take money from a disabled person and if you seek to drain the plans of people with disability, we are coming for you.”
