Adelaide man remanded after airport arrest linked to alleged $5 million NDIS fraud plot
The director of a NDIS provider was stopped at the airport preparing to leave Australia.
An Adelaide man has been arrested at the airport and accused of running a multi‑million‑dollar fraud scheme targeting the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The 38‑year‑old, who directs a registered NDIS provider, was stopped by authorities at Adelaide Airport on Thursday as he prepared to leave the country.
He was taken to the Adelaide City Watchhouse and charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and soliciting protected NDIS participant information from an NDIA staff member.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Authorities allege the man used the stolen participant information to lodge thousands of fraudulent NDIS claims worth about $5 million.
He faces a maximum of 25 years’ imprisonment for dealing with the proceeds of crime, and up to two years for soliciting protected agency information.
He’s been remanded in custody and is due in court on Monday.
The arrest follows months of investigation by the Australian Government’s Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which launched a probe in March after the NDIA detected unauthorised access to participant records.
Search warrants were executed in June at homes in Mawson Lakes and Blakeview, and at a business in Prospect, where investigators seized electronic devices.
A 48‑year‑old Adelaide woman — an NDIA employee — was the first person charged. Investigators allege she accessed more than 40 participant files and passed them to the man’s NDIS provider for financial gain.
Police allege she received more than $53,000 as part of what they say was a broader $5 million scheme.
She is due back in court on August 20.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Aaron Mills said the taskforce would continue to pursue anyone attempting to exploit the scheme.
“The dedication and collective efforts of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce are vital to detect and stop those who attempt to rip off public funds,” Mills said.
“We will continue to identify, investigate, and bring before the courts anyone who attempts to engage in this type of unlawful activity and flout, or attempt to evade, the law.”
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said misuse of NDIS funds would not be tolerated.
Anyone with information about suspected NDIS fraud can contact the helpline.
Originally published on 7NEWS
