Australian Federal Police have arrested a 38-year-old man at Adelaide Airport as he was preparing to depart the country, marking the second arrest in an alleged National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) fraud ring. The man, identified as a director of an NDIS provider, is accused of making approximately $5 million in fraudulent claims.
The investigation, led by the Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT), began in March after the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) detected unauthorized access to protected participant records. On June 10, investigators executed searches at two homes and one business in Adelaide, seizing electronic devices for forensic analysis.
Earlier on June 10, a 48-year-old woman, who allegedly worked for the NDIA, was arrested. She is accused of using her position to access the records of over 40 NDIS participants and sharing them with the 38-year-old man's NDIS provider for financial gain. She reportedly received more than $53,000 for her alleged involvement.
Authorities allege the 38-year-old man then utilized the illegally accessed information to submit thousands of NDIS claims totaling around $5 million. He faces charges including dealing with the proceeds of crime and soliciting protected NDIS participant information. He is scheduled to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, while the 48-year-old woman is expected in court on Thursday.
The FFT is a collaborative effort involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NDIA, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. AFP Detective Acting Inspector Aaron Mills stated the taskforce remains dedicated to detecting and prosecuting individuals attempting to defraud public funds. An NDIA spokesperson commended the arrest, highlighting the effectiveness of inter-agency intelligence in disrupting criminal activity and protecting the NDIS and its participants.