News Police

Man, 33, facing family day care fraud charges

DETECTIVES investigating alleged family day care fraud, arrested a 33-year-old man at a South Granville home on Wednesday afternoon.

Police allege the man was operating independently of an alleged syndicate in south west Sydney and he has been charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
In July 2018, detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad and Organised Crime Squad, established Strike Force Mercury to investigate the alleged coordinated fraudulent activities targeting family day care operations.
A total of 50 people have already been charged as a result of investigations by Strike Force Mercury to date, with raids carried out in May, September and November last year.
During a search warrant executed at a home in South Granville on May 8, 2019, police allegedly found $35,000 cash inside a handbag leading to further investigation.
Police will allege in court that the South Granville home was listed as the address by two educators working for separate family day care operators. They will also allege that the couple fraudulently claimed separate Commonwealth payments under the Child Care Subsidy schemes.
The strike force has also been assisted by the Australian Government Department of Education, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the NSW Department of Education and NSW Crime Commission and the joint investigation is continuing.

Gun, violence offence
A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with firearms and domestic violence offences after allegedly threatening a woman and her six children at their Lidcombe home last week.
Auburn Police were called to Neville Street at 11.30am on Sunday, March 15, and arrested the man at the property.
He was charged with ossess unauthorised pistol, armed with intent to cause indictable offence, intimidation intend to cause fear physical harm – domestic violence, enter land with firearm or imitation, supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug and resist officer in execution of duty.

Had drug in stolen car
A 42-YEAR-OLD man is facing seven charges after being stopped by officers on patrol in Guildford last week.
The South Grafton man was stopped by Cumberland Police after allegedly committing a driving offence.
Officers then discovered he was wanted in relation to an outstanding warrant, the car he was driving was allegedly reported as being stolen and the plates had been altered, and he was in possession of cannabis and other items.

Man swept off rocks
A MERRYLANDS man is believed to have died after being swept of rocks near Port Stephens on Sunday morning.
The 32-year-old man and a friend were at Boulder Bay when a wave knocked them both into the ocean.
One man reached a lifejacket thrown into the water and was rescued by surf lifesavers. They also recovered the body of the other man.