Two men will front court after allegedly defrauding the NSW Government of $200,000 using false sexual assault reports.
Financial crime detectives started an investigation into the alleged fraud in August, after finding multiple “suspicious” reports using Sexual Assault Reporting Operation (SARO).
Two men, aged 37 and 30, were arrested at a motel in Lidcombe, in Sydney’s west, at 11.10am yesterday.
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Detectives allege the men set up multiple bank accounts to make financial claims to the state government for victim compensation, through false SARO reports.
The men made over $218,000 with the allegedly fraudulent financial claims and SARO reports, police say.
The NSW Government offers victim compensation for victims of violent crimes.
Additional documentation – like a SARO report or police report – is needed to prove how they were impacted before they can receive payment.
SARO keeps a record of alleged assaults, submitted by alleged victims to NSW Police.
SARO reports do not start a criminal investigation, they just keep a record of the alleged crime and allow police to gather information about sexual offences and offenders.
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Both men were taken to Auburn Police Station and were charged with several offences.
The 37-year-old was charged with 25 counts of using someone’s identity to commit an offence, 19 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and one count of dealing with the proceeds of a crime.
The 30-year-old was charged with dealing with proceeds of a crime over $5000, using someone’s identity to commit an offence and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Both men have been refused bail and will face Burwood Court today.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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