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The Australian Federal Police have charged three people with allegedly submitting false claims to withdraw over $110,000 through the COVID-19 early access to superannuation scheme.
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AFP charges 3 people with early access to super fraud
17 August 2020
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Police will allege the group submitted several fraudulent applications, claiming to be other superannuation fund holders, to attempt to access early release of superannuation payments totaling $113,500.
Three female suspects, aged between 36 and 41, have now been charged after the AFP executed search warrants at five addresses in South East Queensland, such as the suburbs of Morayfield, Worongary, Balmoral, Eagleby and Burpengary East.
The charges include conspiring to dishonestly obtain or deal in personal financial information, conspiring to receive a designated service using a false customer name, and conspiring to give false or misleading information to a Commonwealth entity.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty between 12 months’ imprisonment and five years in jail.
The charges come after fraud of the early access to super scheme was first discovered in late April, with 150 people estimated to be affected.
“Make no mistake. If you try to steal the nest eggs of hard-working Australians, we will find you, and charge you,” said AFP deputy commissioner Brett Pointing.
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ATO deputy commissioner and chief of the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce, Will Day, said the recent investigations sent a clear message that the SFCT partner agencies are committed to tackling any illegal behaviour and protecting the government’s COVID-19 stimulus measures.
ôThis action demonstrates the SFCT’s ability to deliver a whole of government response to target suspected crimes affecting the COVID-19 stimulus measures,” Mr Day said.
“It sends a clear message to the community that we do bring those who exploit the tax and super system to account for their actions. We have robust systems in place that stop this sort of crime — quickly, and decisively.”
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