An accountant and registered tax agent will face court today, charged by Financial Crimes Squad detectives investigating alleged tax-related frauds totalling almost $600,000.
Earlier this year, detectives from the State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Windorra after receiving reports of fraudulent activity against clients of a registered tax accountant.
Detectives have been assisted by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) throughout the investigation.
As part of ongoing inquiries, police executed search warrants at an Erina business and a Green Point home in March, seizing documentation and electronic devices for further forensic examination.
Following extensive investigations, a 54-year-old man was arrested at Gosford Police Station on Friday 8 April 2022, where he was charged with 23 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man submitted fraudulent tax returns which had been altered without his clients' knowledge in order to obtain a financial benefit.
It is further alleged that the man made a number of fraudulent applications to the COVID-19 JobKeeper Payment scheme on behalf of clients without their knowledge.
The Green Point man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court today (Friday 20 May 2022).
