October 22nd 2024.
Two men have been accused of tricking the NSW Government out of a whopping $200,000 by fabricating sexual assault claims. The financial crime detectives were tipped off about the alleged fraud in August and immediately launched an investigation. They had come across numerous "suspicious" reports that had been filed through the Sexual Assault Reporting Operation.
The suspects, aged 37 and 30, were apprehended at a motel in Lidcombe, situated in the bustling city of Sydney. The arrest took place yesterday at 11:10 am and the two men were promptly taken into custody. According to the detectives, the men had set up multiple bank accounts in order to claim compensation from the state government under the guise of being victims of sexual assault. They used false SARO reports to support their claims and managed to make a whopping $218,000 through this fraudulent scheme.
It is worth noting that the NSW Government provides financial compensation to individuals who have been victims of violent crimes. However, in order to be eligible for this assistance, additional documentation such as a SARO report or a police report is required to prove the impact of the crime on the victim. SARO, which stands for Sexual Assault Reporting Operation, maintains a record of alleged assaults reported to the NSW Police by victims. It is important to clarify that SARO reports do not initiate a criminal investigation, but rather serve as a database for gathering information about sexual offences and offenders.
In another unfortunate incident, a brave surfer, Giulia Manfrini, lost her life in Indonesia after being impaled by a needlefish. In a separate case, the two men were taken to the Auburn Police Station and were charged with multiple offences. The 37-year-old suspect 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. On the other hand, 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 denied bail and are scheduled to appear in Burwood Court today.
In case you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, or family violence, please do not hesitate to seek help. The National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached at 1800RESPECT for support and assistance.
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