Police condemn ‘selfish and despicable actions’ after five people allegedly swindled money from disabled people and carers

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A Sydney syndicate allegedly swindled $1.1m from disabled people and carers and bought luxury cars with the funds.

Australian federal police arrested five people at two properties at Lurnea and Liverpool on Wednesday, and seized a Porsche Cayenne, an Audi A3 and a Mercedes E63.

Police suspect the cars were bought with fraudulently obtained funds.

Investigators allege the group controlled and exploited three national disability insurance scheme providers that fraudulently claimed more than $1.1m in NDIS payments from more than 70 disabled people or those managing their affairs.

Police probing the syndicate’s three providers – Universal Group Australia, Reliance Disability Services and United Mission – believe there may be more than 100 victims.

“This is an organised criminal activity preying on those that society has chosen to help – it took money directly out of the pockets of NDIS participants, reducing their ability to obtain crucial assistance and services to help them lead their lives,” AFP acting commander, Mark McIntyre, said in a statement.

Investigators are probing the total of $2.6m in payments the three providers have received and say the syndicate also tried to register another four NDIS providers.

McIntyre suggested police were hunting down other syndicates.

“Unfortunately this is not an isolated case, and we will continue to work with our taskforce partners to identify those preying on our needy and bring them to account for their selfish and despicable actions.”

Police were set to charge a 40-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman with obtaining a gain contrary to the criminal code and dealing with property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Two men, aged 27 and 30, and a 27-year-old woman were to be charged with dealing with property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

A 22-year-old woman will be issued with a court summons for allegedly providing false or misleading information.