SYDNEY – The multi-year hunt for an alleged fraudster who reportedly siphoned $1.5 million from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) ended today with an arrest on a suburban construction site.
A 33-year-old man, allegedly linked to serious organized crime groups, was apprehended by AFP Police in Tahmoor. He is expected to appear in court later today to face dozens of charges related to the exploitation of the Commonwealth-funded scheme.
The Investigation: A Two-Year Trail
The arrest is the culmination of a massive joint operation between the Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT), which includes the NDIA, the AFP, the NDIS Commission, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Investigators first flagged the suspect in January 2024 after noticing irregularities in claims made by a registered NDIS provider. The timeline of the investigation reveals a persistent effort to track the alleged funds:
- June 2024: FFT investigators executed a search warrant at a Bankstown apartment, yielding evidence that allegedly linked the man to 80 fraudulent claims.
- August 2024: A two-year banning order was slapped on the individual, legally barring him from any NDIS-related activities.
- February 2026: Following a deep dive into the financial records, the NDIA obtained an arrest warrant.
- April 2026: AFP Police tracked the suspect to a work site in Tahmoor, where he was taken into custody.
Exploiting the Vulnerable
Authorities will allege the man targeted 22 unknowing NDIS participants between January and March 2024, claiming massive sums for services that were never actually provided.
“Members of our community have allegedly been targeted, exploited and threatened by groups looking to fill their own pockets and steal public funds set aside for Australians who are reliant on this support,” said AFP Acting Commander Timothy Underhill.
| Charge Count | Offence Description | Legal Reference |
| 22 Counts | Obtaining a financial advantage by deception | Section 134.2(1) Criminal Code 1995 |
| 10 Counts | Attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception | Sections 11.1(1) and 134.2(1) |
A “Clear Message” to Organized Crime
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which comprises 24 different agencies, is designed specifically to weed out high-level criminal activity targeting government programs.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville noted that the Commission had already proactively removed the individual from the scheme via a banning order. Meanwhile, ATO Assistant Commissioner Simon Hellmers emphasized that the tax office remains hyper-vigilant in tracking the “money trail” of government payments.
“Today’s arrest sends a clear message,” a NDIA spokesperson stated. “Through a strong, national, multi-agency response, we are disrupting alleged organised crime links attempting to profit from the NDIS.”
For now, the man remains in custody awaiting his court appearance, while AFP Police and investigators continue to dismantle the broader networks allegedly used to facilitate the million-dollar deception.
Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717, email [email protected], or fill out the online NDIS Fraud reporting form. An interpreter service is available at 13 14 50.