A solicitor and two allied health professional have been charged over their alleged roles in a group coordinating the submission of fraudulent Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance claims in Sydney., 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.
Following extensive investigations, Strike Force Ravens detectives arrested a 43-year-old man at an office at Auburn just before 10am today.
He was taken to Auburn Police Station and charged with five counts of fraud, and directing a criminal group.
Police will allege in court the man directed the activities of the syndicate, providing legal advice to members of the group to assist with knowingly submitting fraudulent insurance claims with a total value of more than $1 million.
The South Coogee man was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court later today.
Shortly after, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a home at Croydon Park.
He was taken to Auburn Police Station and charged with five counts of fraud, and participating in a criminal group.
Police will allege in court the man created fraudulent medical invoices to members of the group to assist with knowingly submitting fraudulent insurance claims with a total value of more than $1 million.
The man, who is an allied health professional, was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court at a later date.
A third man, a 30-year-old allied health professional, was later arrested by strike force detectives in Sydney’s south-west.
He was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he is expected to be charged with fraud and participating in a criminal group.
Fraud and Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, praised the diligent work of detectives in dismantling the group.
"When we formed Strike Force Ravens, the aim was to reduce the risk of fraudulent claims against the CTP insurance scheme, and we are achieving that," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
"The arrests are a significant milestone for the investigation and a warning that we will arrest anyone who intends to make fraudulent CTP claims.
"Given Strike Force Ravens’ success, we will be continuing investigations into the activities that impact on the cost of CTP Green Slips – a cost that is passed on to all NSW drivers.
"I want to reiterate that anyone who may be involved in these types of activities that you are being monitored and if you break the law, we will be coming after you," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
To date, Strike Force Ravens investigators have arrested 16 people and laid more than 120 charges in relation to a combined fraud of more than $11 million.
Investigations are ongoing and further arrests are expected.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to CTP Green Slip fraud to call Crime Stoppers.
