How ‘devoted’ community worker allegedly defrauded Centrelink by $245k

A self-described “devoted community worker” accused of ripping off Centrelink to the tune of $245,000 and using 196 different aliases has been granted bail on her 11th attempt.

The woman allegedly received $245,000 in payments she wasn’t entitled to.

A self-described “devoted community worker” accused of ripping off Centrelink to the tune of $245,000 and using 196 different aliases has been granted bail on her 11th attempt after spending more than two years on remand.

Self-represented Fatima I’lache, who was granted conditional release on Tuesday after 10 failed previous attempts at bail, described the case against her as “an embarrassment” and pointed to the crisis in the Middle East as reason she wouldn’t flee to her native Lebanon.

The 63-year-old from Belmont is charged with three counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

The Commonwealth allege I’lache claimed benefits from Centrelink when not entitled to them by failing to declare a property she owned and for one count claimed a benefit using a different name.

“In total for the three counts, it’s about a quarter of a million dollars,” Commonwealth prosecutor Sam Knight told Brisbane’s Supreme Court during a bail application.

I’lache also sought bail on one count of dishonestly obtaining a travel document.

The Crown, which opposed bail on the grounds I’lache poses a flight risk, allege she obtained a second passport without declaring she already owned one in a different identity.

“The defendant changed her name in New Zealand …. and then obtained a passport in that name, when she came to Australia, without declaring the fact that she already had a passport in a different name,” Mr Knight said.

I’lache is facing separate trials, which she is preparing to defend, for the alleged welfare fraud and passport case later this year.

She is also facing 47 charges of providing false or misleading information and one count each of false statement or representation and obstruct police which remain in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, the court heard.

She described the reasons the Crown opposed her bail “as an embarrassment because of the lies”.

I’lache said she arrived in Australia on her NZ passport, which expired in 2002, then changed her name in Queensland to anglicise it and obtained an Australian passport which expired in 2021.

She said she hadn’t been back to Lebanon for 35 years and had no desire to return given the region’s volatility.

“I’ve got my own house here, I’ve got my family here …. I’m a devoted community worker, “she said.

She asked for bail citing the ill health of her children and an offer of employment.

I’lache had to show there had been a material change in circumstances since her last failed bail bid in December.

Justice Rebecca Treston said I’lache, who had no relevant criminal history, had shown a change in circumstances due to the delay.

Justice Treston found I’lache had a significant attachment to Queensland but there was also “significant evidence” she had held 196 different aliases, changed her name numerous times and frequently travelled on Australian, Lebanese and NZ passports “using a wide variety of different aliases.”

“But the fact of the matter is she has now spent her two years and four months in jail. That is a very significant period of time, particularly for a woman in her 60s,” she said.

“Even for someone with a litany of dishonesty offences with which she has been charged it seems to me that she is at very real risk of having spent too much time in custody.”

Bail was granted with several conditions including that she wear a GPS ankle monitor.