Strike Force Orielton: Central Coast men charged over alleged Covid-19 fraud
Two NSW men have been charged with Covid-19 fraud.
Cybercrime squad detectives began investigations into an alleged criminal syndicate in June and allegedly uncovered multiple frauds against NSW government Covid-19-related grant schemes.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives under Strike Force Orielton on Tuesday searched a Mardi home on the Central Coast and allegedly found about 2.4kg of cannabis leaves as well as documents and electronic devices that are yet to be forensically examined.
As a result, a 30-year-old man was arrested at the property, while a 39-year-old man was later arrested at a Watanobbi home.
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READ NOWNSW Police will alleged in court the Mardi man submitted fraudulent JobSaver and business grant applications and assisted with fraudulent applications submitted on other people’s behalf.
It will also be claimed that the man supplied ice and GHB across the Central Coast last month.
Police will also allege the Watanobbi man falsely claimed he had tested positive to the virus that subsequently forced multiple businesses to close last month.
Both suspects were taken to Wyong police station following their arrests.
The Mardi man was charged with 14 offences, including seven counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, five counts of supplying a prohibited drug and dealing in identification information and using it to commit fraud.
He appeared in the Wyong Local Court on Tuesday and was refused bail.
The Watanobbi man was charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception and giving false information person or property in danger.
He was granted strict police bail to appear at Wyong Local Court in November.
Strike Force Orielton investigations are continuing.
Originally published as Strike Force Orielton: Central Coast men charged over alleged Covid-19 fraud
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