A civilian police employee is the seventh person to be charged by detectives investigating fraudulent Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance claims, NSW Police say.
In August 2016, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Fraud and Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Ravens to investigate syndicates targeting the CTP insurance scheme following recommendations of the CTP Task Force.
The CTP Task Force is a NSW Government initiative coordinated by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), involving representatives from various government agencies and legal, health, and insurance sectors.
As part of ongoing investigations, Strike Force Ravens detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at Burwood Police Station, about 9am on Thursday yesterday.
The man, who is a civilian employee attached to a corporate unit, was charged with make false statement to obtain financial advantage and one count of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.
Police will allege the man was involved in staging a crash between two cars on Saturday 14 November 2015, resulting in the lodgement of fraudulent CTP claims valued at more than $320,000 and a comprehensive insurance claim to replace a vehicle.
The allegations do not relate to the man’s employment with NSW Police Force. He has been suspended.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Monday 19 June 2017.
Fraud & Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said the investigation under Strike Force Ravens is very much ongoing.
"We want to make it clear that we will continue to pursue all those involved in the submission of fraudulent CTP insurance claims – no matter who they may be," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
"Our objective is, and always has been, to completely dismantle the business model and put every person who played a part before the courts."
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello said the arrest is a victory for motorists and a powerful reminder of the need for the Strike Force.
"This Strike Force has now exposed an extensive network of fraudsters and dismantled their operations. The work of the Strike Force is ongoing and this is only the beginning," Mr Dominello said.
"Motorists are fed up with paying higher Green Slip premiums because of these crooks and enough is enough. This crackdown is delivering both justice and a fairer CTP Green Slip Scheme."
To date, Strike Ravens investigators have arrested seven people and laid more than 70 charges in relation to a combined fraud of $7 million.
