***PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded footage and images of today's arrest are available via Hightail: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/HKrqhYsRzs
Police have charged a woman over alleged fraud offences relating to mouse plague relief payments in the state's Riverina region this year.
Investigations began in October this year into claims made to Service NSW for Mouse Control Rebate payments.
It will be alleged 120 payments were made from ten banks into 120 different bank accounts, totalling $60,000.
Following extensive inquiries, officers attached to Riverina Police District – with assistance from Wagga Wagga Region Enforcement Squad (RES) – executed a search warrant at a home on Ferrier Street, Lockhart, about 65km south-west of Wagga Wagga, about 9.20am today (Thursday 24 November 2022).
A 31-year-old woman was arrested at the home.
During a search of the property, police seized documentation and a mobile phone relating to the investigation.
The woman was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where she was charged with ten counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and one count of deal with identity information to commit an indictable offence.
She was granted conditional bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 8 February 2023.
Anyone with information about suspected fraudulent activity is urged to contact 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.
