Detectives investigating family day care fraud have charged 50 people over their alleged role in the criminal syndicate.
*Updated: as of 15 November a total of 50 people have now been charged.
In July 2018, detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad and Organised Crime Squad established Strike Force Mercury to investigate the coordinated fraudulent activities targeting family day care operations.
The strike force has also been assisted by the Australian Government Department of Education, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the NSW Department of Education and NSW Crime Commission.
Police will allege in court that the syndicate fraudulently claimed Commonwealth payments under the Child Care Subsidy schemes.
It will be alleged the syndicate fraudulently claimed at least $3.9 million in payments over a 10-month period.
In May 2019, Strike Force Mercury detectives executed 23 search warrants and charged 17 people.
As part of further inquiries, 22 people were charged in September 2019. They all remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, strike force detectives arrested four women – aged 20, 29, 42 and 48 – about 7 am in the Fairfield area on Monday (11 November 2019).
A further four women were arrested in the Bankstown area yesterday (Tuesday 12 November 2019).
They were all taken to local police stations and charged with participating in a criminal group.
The women have been granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Monday 25 November 2019.
As part of further inquiries, two women – aged 33 and 45 – were arrested in the Liverpool area and a 28-year-old woman was arrested at Wollongong this morning (Wednesday 13 November 2019).
At least 39 people have already been charged and remain before the courts.
They have been taken to local police stations.
Joint investigations under Strike Force Mercury are ongoing.
Reference:
© State of New South Wales (NSW Police Force). For current information go to: Further 11 People Arrested Over Family Day Care Fraud Syndicate
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