Braybrook man arrested over 500 fraudulent Covid-19 payment claims
Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have arrested a man as part of their investigation into over 500 fraudulent applications for COVID-19 temporary isolation payments submitted during the pandemic.
With assistance from Darebin Crime Investigation Unit, a search warrant was executed at a residential address in Braybrook on Thursday 20/6 afternoon.
A 41-year-old Braybrook man was arrested and interviewed by investigators. He is expected to be charged on summons with numerous deception and fraudulent document related offences.
Police seized a card printing machine, a card embossing machine, a number of blank Victorian drivers’ licence cards, numerous false identification documents including proof of age cards, Medicare cards and drivers’ licences, four mobile phone signal jammers and numerous mobile phones, tablets and computers from his address.
It will be alleged that over 500 fraudulent COVID-19 grant applications were successfully submitted under a variety of false names worth almost $60,000 between 2020-2021.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on fraudulent activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a or submit at confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. (V/P)
