Man charged after alleged $85,000 fraud of bushfire, COVID-19 relief funds
A Sydney man has been charged after fraudulently claiming $85,000 from bushfire and COVID-19 relief funds.
The 36-year-old was arrested in Emu Plains in the city's west today.
Police charged him with 41 fraud-related offences, 28 of which related to attempted transactions, and 13 related to successful transactions.
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A man is set to be charged after allegedly defrauding bushfire and COVID-19 relief funds. 9News
Detective Inspector Jason Pietruszka said police alleged the man had managed to obtain $55,000 from charity organisations such as the Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul's, and $30,000 from government funds.
Overall, Inspector Pietruszka said the man allegedly attempted to defraud numerous funds of a total $550,000.
"These are quite disgusting offences," Inspector Pietruszka said.
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"That money is meant to be for people who are in need, he is certainly not in need."
The alleged fraud took place from April to October last year.
Inspector Pietruszka said inquiries were continuing through "various banking organisations" to see if any of the money could be recovered.
The man was refused bail and will appear at Penrith Local Court today.
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