Strike Force Sainsbery detectives have charged a Central Coast man as part of ongoing investigations into the actual and attempted fraud of NSW Government schemes.
In November 2021, detectives from the State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad and all Sydney Metropolitan Regions established Strike Force Sainsbery to investigate fraudulent applications made against NSW Government financial relief schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
Service NSW's Fraud Response Unit is also assisting Strike Force Sainsbery.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives travelled to Gosford Police Station following the arrest of a 57-year-old on an unrelated matter yesterday (Tuesday 22 March 2022).
He was subsequently charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, publish false and misleading material to obtain advantage and make false documents to obtain financial advantage.
Police will allege in court that the man made fraudulent applications for the Small Business COVID-19 Support grant and the COVID-19 Small Business Hardship grant – totalling $25,000 – using falsified information and documentation.
The man also allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for JobSaver payments of $3000 a fortnight, which was not approved or paid.
Further, the man allegedly fraudulently signed and submitted a document for the purpose of obtaining a reduction in rent.
The Narara man has been refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court today (Wednesday 23 March 2022).
Investigations under Strike Force Sainsbery are ongoing and further arrests are expected.
If someone believes they may have made an error in an application and have received funds they are not entitled to, they should contact Service NSW to arrange repayment of those funds.
Customers can call the Service NSW Business Concierge team on 13 77 88 for assistance.
Information that may assist Strike Force Sainsbery investigators can be provided to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
