Man in alleged fake sex abuse scam identified

The man is one of seven charged over an alleged fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims scheme totalling over $1 billion.

A Sydney man, who is one of seven charged over an alleged fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims scheme totalling over $1 billion, has been identified.

Fotis Antonios, 55, was arrested at 6.05am on Wednesday at a home in Girraween in Sydney’s west, and was later charged with 21 offences relating to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage.

He was not required to appear when his matter was briefly heard in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.

The court was told Mr Antonios had complained of chest pains while in custody and was seeking medical attention.

Magistrate Kate Thompson refused the man’s bail and he will next appear in court on Wednesday, February, 19.

Court documents seen by News Wire allege Mr Antonios had coerced others into making a string of fradulant child abuse claim applications, totaling mostly around $2,000 per claim.

However, in one count, police allege the 55-year-old attempted to gain up to $150,000 from the CommonWealth Government National Redress Scheme.

Fotis Antonios, 55, was arrested about 6.05am on Wednesday at a home in Girraween in Sydney’s west. Picture: NSW Police.

He was charged with nine counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, eight counts of accessory before the fact to publishing false misleading material to obtain advantage, three counts of inciting to commit publish false misleading material to obtain advantage and dishonestly intending to obtain a gain.

The string of charges came after a strike force investigation was formed last year to investigate alleged fraudulent compensation claims for historical sexual abuse brought against the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and the NSW Department of Education (DoE).

Police allege several ‘claims farmers’ were found to be at the centre of the scheme, including Mr Antonois, and six others.

“These individuals allegedly approached adults who were former young offenders, inmates, and public-school students, encouraging them to file fraudulent compensation claims for historical child sexual abuse while in care,” NSW Police said.

Police allege the ‘claims farmers’ then coached them on how to make the claims through various Sydney law firms, with a benefit received for each referral.

Police have arrested and charged six others over their alleged involvement in the scheme including a Granville woman, aged 53, a Pendle Hill man aged 32, a Gladesville man aged 42, a Horsley woman aged 52, a Pendle Hill woman aged 35, and a Mermaid Beach man aged 23.

Several ‘claims farmers’ were found to be at the centre of the scheme, including a Sydney woman who was arrested on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police.

They remain before the courts.

A search warrant was also executed at a law firm in Sydney where a number of items were seized by detectives.

It’s alleged the seven people stood to make $3.75 million in fraudulent claims but were uncovered before the money was paid out.

Police say they expect to make more arrests.

A NSW Department of Education spokesman said the allegations were “deeply disturbing” and police had their “full co-operation”.

“We urge any victim of abuse to contact police as student safety is our priority,” the spokesman said.

“As this is an ongoing police investigation, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.”

Originally published as Man in alleged fake sex abuse scam identified