NSW Police charge seven over fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims

A late TikTok sensation who told stories of his life of crime was allegedly part of a scheme to fraudulently claim compensation for sexual abuse before his death.

A late TikTok sensation who told stories of his life of crime was allegedly part of a scheme to fraudulently claim compensation for sexual abuse before his death.

Russell Manser became a social media hit for giving an insight into his life carrying out serious crimes and the more than two decades behind bars in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory that followed.

But prior to his sudden death in March last year, police claim Manser had been part of a scheme in which he encouraged people to make fraudulent claims of abuse during their time in juvenile detention or school - in return for him receiving a benefit for each referral.

NSW Police detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad charged seven people over the scheme on Wednesday, including Manser’s son, Ky Manser, on the Gold Coast.

Ky, 23, was charged with publishing false misleading material to obtain advantage and will be required to face Downing Centre Local Court in March.

Late social media star Russell Manser and his son Ky, who police allege were both part of a scheme to fraudulently sexual abuse compensation. Russell Manser died in March 2024. Picture: TikTok

Former bank robber Manser, who became a social media star for his stories about being a criminal and spending time in jail. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Court documents detail how police began investigating the scheme - including Russell Manser’s alleged role - in February 2024, a month before his death.

Detectives attached to Strike Force Veritas identified a network of “claims farmers” who allegedly recruited former young offenders, inmates and public school students, and encouraged them to lodge fraudulent compensation claims against the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the state’s Department of Education.

A 53-year-old woman was arrested at Granville. Picture: NSW Police

Fotis Frank Antonios is arrested. Picture: NSW Police

The illicit proceeds were allegedly known as “bum money” within the criminal syndicates.

Investigators suspect a significant portion of the $1.3bn in claims paid out under the scheme were fraudulent.

On Thursday morning, detectives arrested Fotis Frank Antonios, 55, at Girraween. He was charged with 21 offences, including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Antonios did not apply for bail in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, with the case adjourned until next Wednesday.

Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad arrest Fotis Frank Antonios. Picture: NSW Police

Solicitor James Castillo told the court Antonios was experiencing “chest pain” and said a document outlining the police allegations spanned more than 300 pages.

Court documents state Antonios allegedly used a Sydney law firm, which isn’t accused of wrongdoing, to process his own bogus compensation claim about abuse in the 1980s at the Mount Penang Boys Home.

The Department of Communities and Justice paid out $415,000, with more than $244,000 paid to Antonios after legal fees.

Documents state Antonious was also allegedly connected to the dodgy claims of 11 others, where he would skim money off the top of the payout. Through this method, he allegedly pocketed a further $17,600.

Investigations under Strike Force Veritas continue, with more arrests expected. Picture: NSW Police

The strike force has charged five other people, including a 53-year-old woman at Granville, a 32-year-old man and 35-year-old woman at Pendle Hill, a 42-year-old man at Gladesville Police Station and a 52-year-old woman in the Illawarra.

In addition to the arrests, police also executed a warrant at a Sydney law firm.

Police will allege the seven people charged stood to make $3.75m in fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims that were uncovered before the claims were paid out.

Investigations under Strike Force Veritas continue, with more arrests expected.

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Originally published as NSW Police charge seven over fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims