A New South Wales woman was today sentenced for money laundering offences linked to fraud committed against the NDIS.
Angelina Deliciso pleaded guilty in NSW District Court to dealing with the proceeds of crime greater than $1 million in value.
The 48-year-old was sentenced to an 18-month Intensive Corrections Order.
Deliciso's offending was uncovered following a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) investigation, which established her role in a money laundering network linked to millions of dollars in false claims.
The investigation, triggered by tip-offs from participants, found that eight companies, of which seven had their business details stolen, were falsely registered as NDIS providers for the purposes of defrauding the NDIS.
A spokesperson for the NDIA said the Agency welcomed today's sentencing.
"This case sends a clear message that those who commit fraud against the NDIS and participants will be caught and held to account," the spokesperson said.
"Fraud is a serious crime that diverts money away from those who need it the most."
"Our integrity actions ensure every dollar goes towards providing the supports that participants need."
"The Agency is actively safeguarding the NDIS by preventing, detecting and responding to this type of criminal behaviour."
This follows an earlier conviction of another member of the same network, Jugurtha Zafrane, who received $31,000 of the fraudulent claims, which he moved through multiple bank accounts.
The 42-year-old was sentenced in NSW District Court in July 2022 to five months imprisonment, which he served by Intensive Corrections Order, and 100 hours of community service for recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.
He also paid a $32,000 reparation order.
The NDIA worked with the Australian Federal Police to execute search warrants across Sydney in April 2021, resulting in the arrest of Zafrane.
Since 2022, the Government has invested more than $550 million in the Crack Down on Fraud and Payment Integrity programs and the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which have exponentially improved the NDIA's capabilities in detecting, stopping and responding to non-compliance and fraud.
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce has grown to 24 member agencies working together to dramatically increase actions against criminals abusing the NDIS. The Taskforce currently has 635 investigations underway.
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce, Crack Down on Fraud and Payment Integrity programs have improved the ability to detect provider risk and implement proactive manual payment reviews.
Implemented integrity interventions are estimated to deliver $2.3 billion in benefits. These benefits include over $598 million in savings to the Scheme due to prevented non-compliant payments and a further $1.6 billion in payments diverted from problematic providers to higher quality spending on disability supports and services.
These figures include benefits delivered and forecast to be delivered until June 2029 through providers already being banned or subjected to manual payment reviews by March 2025.
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce has disrupted more than 1,900 providers who have submitted incorrect or non-compliant claims to the NDIS.
Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717 or fill out our online NDIS Fraud reporting form.
The separate matters were prosecuted by the Commonwealth Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions following a referral from the NDIA.
