Belmont South: Bushfire grants scam investigation leads to arrest in Lake Macquarie
One man, 37, has already been charged with numerous offences after allegedly obtaining $110,000 through support grants.As part of Strike Force Roche, Lake Macquarie officers executed a search warrant on a Belmont South home on Wednesday.
Newcastle
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Detectives investigating widespread bushfire grant fraud have seized ammunition and a milling machine allegedly bought with funds obtained with dodgy government handouts.
The Newcastle News revealed on Monday that government agencies had identified almost $20 million that had been handed out to hundreds to fraudsters via small business grants available for bushfire and coronavirusvictims.
Strike Force Roche, established by several police districts within the northern police region and run by Lake Macquarie, is investigating several dozen people for alleged frauds running into the tens of thousands of dollars each.
One man, 37, has already been charged with numerous offences after allegedly obtaining $110,000 through support grants.
As part of Strike Force Roche, Lake Macquarie officers executed a search warrant on a Belmont South home on Wednesday.
Police allegedly seized a milling machine, suspected of being bought with funds obtained through the grants, as well as ammunition.
The suspect was charged with one count of dealing with the proceeds of crime.
He faced Belmont Local Court where he did not apply for bail and was
remanded in custody to reappear on November 11.