The fake Tahitian prince who swindled $16 million from the Queensland government is inadvertently helping to detect breast cancer.

Joel Morehu-Barlow was sentenced to 14 years jail in March for defrauding Queensland Health while working as a financial officer.

He masqueraded as a prince, buying millions of dollars worth of luxury products, including a Hermes riding saddle and Louis Vuitton luggage.

His purchases were auctioned earlier this year and the state recouped about $12 million.

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Health minister Lawrence Springborg said the government had been able to increase funding for breast screening services last financial year by redirecting $1 million from what had been defrauded.

AAP