Nine Rebels bikies charged after scamming $113,000 in alleged bushfire grants scam

Nine people linked to the Rebels bikie gang have been charged after allegedly buying porn subscriptions, car parts, clothes and gambling bets with money falsely claimed from state government bushfire grants.

Rebels bikie associates used $113,000 defrauded from victims of last summer’s bushfires to gamble and buy porn subscriptions, car parts and clothes, police allege.

In a two day sting in Sydney and the Southern Highlands, six men and three women were charged with making fraudulent grant claims through the NSW government funding scheme for bushfire-affected communities.

Criminal Groups Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow said the nine had posed as business owners affected by the harrowing 2019-20 bushfire season.

He said the group had attempted to net over $700,000 but only collected $113,000, and each of the alleged scammers had ties to the Rebels outlaw bikie gang, including one ex-member.

“These grants which were meant to assist (affected families and businesses) have instead been stolen by this group … we’ll alleged nearly $700,000 worth of claims lodged by this group, none of which were remotely qualified to apply for these grants,” Det Supt Critchlow said.

“They would construct an alleged company, which they didn’t have, some involved obtaining ABNs and other business enablers and then making false claims … the businesses were suffering because of (the bushfires) which was blatantly untrue.”

“We’ll allege among other things the proceeds from these crimes were used to buy clothing, to fix up cars, place gambling bets and most disturbingly, to subscribe to online pornography sites.”

Det Supt Critchlow said while it was “excellent” police had collared the group, it was “tragic” for people genuinely affected by the bushfires.

He vowed authorities would come down hard on the Rebels and would “wipe this group out” forever.

“The bushfires completely destroyed thousands of homes, schools, community facilities and other critical infrastructure and tragically claimed the lives of 26 people, including three Rural Fire Service volunteers … we’ve got ordinary people suffering greatly,” Det Supt Critchlow said.

“The Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang is a criminal organisation that brings nothing but misery to our community.

“We’re going to focus on them without any slowdown or lack of focus … we will not rest until we wipe this group out.”

The group allegedly attempted to claim $700,000. Picture: Brett Hemmings

Officers from Strike Force Raptor and the Public Order and Riot Squad searched 11 properties at Box Hill, Colebee, Hill Top, Lalor Park, Mittagong, Marrickville, North Richmond, Sackville, Westmead, Wilberforce and Windsor on Wednesday and Thursday after a four-month investigation.

During the raids, detectives seized documentation, mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops and electronic storage devices, as well as cash, prescription medication and prohibited drugs including ecstasy, cannabis, methylamphetamine (ice) and steroids.

Police allege the ex-Rebels group member reportedly spearheaded the fraud operation, giving advice to the other eight and taking commission from fraudulent claims.

Taniela Marley Loloa, 30, of Lalor Park, faced Blacktown Local Court on Thursday , where his defence lawyer Ahmed Dib successfully applied for bail.

Mr Dib said Loloa had admitted to some of the fraudulent activity alleged by police, but would dispute further allegations.

He faces 14 charges, including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, publishing false or misleading material to obtain an advantage and dealing with proceeds of crime with intent to conceal.

He is yet to enter a plea to the charges.

Police allege Loloa applied for grants worth tens of thousands of dollars on behalf of his alleged co-offenders through the Service NSW Small Business Bushfire Support Grants scheme.

“The first three frauds he admits to … the rest he is unsure how his laptop was used in those offences,” Mr Dib told the court.

“The alleged laptop involved in fraud activity has now been seized and the material off the laptop is now under investigation.

“An application has now been submitted and his conduct is finalised.”

The prosecution, however, opposed bail, citing Mr Loloa’s lengthy criminal history and associations.

“The offending is sophisticated. It involves dealing with other persons and it involves large amounts of money,” the prosecutor said.

“He has prior offences on his record and has a conviction in regards to participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity.”

Magistrate Karen Robinson granted strict bail, which banned Loloa from accessing the internet.

“There is a reasonably strong case of fraudulent activity by the accused over a period of time … and allegations regarding access to a government-funded scheme that was especially set up to provide assistance to businesses who have been substantially damaged by the fires that occurred last summer,” Magistrate Robinson said.

“This elevates the seriousness of the offences.

The court heard Loloa would be bailed to live in his father’s garage in Lalor Park after a forfeiture of $5000.

Magistrate Robsinson said some of the alleged offences would be difficult to prove in court.

Loloa will face court again next year.

It is understood investigators are expected to charge a further two people.