Ebtesam Ibrahim Hamoud Fahmy charged over $2m NDIS ‘fraud’ ring in Western Sydney

The female director of multiple Western Sydney disability service providers is behind bars, ­accused of defrauding the NDIS of more than $2 million.

The director of multiple Western Sydney disability service providers is behind bars, ­accused of defrauding the NDIS of more than $2 million.

Ebtesam Ibrahim Hamoud Fahmy was arrested this week by the crack team of investigators known as the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, after a series of raids in July and August this year.

Fahmy, who had been in control of four NDIS providers in Western Sydney, appeared in court in Liverpool on Wednesday, where she faced charges of dishonestly intending to obtain a gain and recklessly dealing in the proceeds of crime.

She was refused bail and will remain in custody until she makes a bail application at Downing Centre Local Court next month.

After Fahmy’s arrest, the NDIS Commission immediately suspended the registration and issued notices of intention to revoke the registration of two NDIS providers allegedly used by the woman to defraud the NDIS.

Ebtesam Ibrahim Hamoud Fahmy has been charged following NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce raids. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Notices of intention to make banning orders against her, another woman and four NDIS providers have also been issued.

The 54-year-old woman came to the attention of the National Disability Insurance Agency’s fraud unit in May.

Operation Ivory was established to investigate her control of four Western Sydney service ­providers, both registered and ­unregistered.

Investigators will allege her network was also the subject of more than 15 “tip-offs”, including the reporting of collusion with participants through the payment of kickbacks.

The taskforce raided locations at Casula, Potts Hill and Liverpool, seizing boxes of paperwork, mobile phones, computers, banking documents and other evidence.

While the investigation went ahead, the NDIS Commission issued compliance notices and imposed additional conditions on the NDIS providers controlled by Fahmy.

Raids on NDIS service providers earlier this year. Picture: John Appleyard

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

While unable to comment on this case, now before the courts, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten exclusively told The Sunday Telegraph that the taskforce’s focus on Western Sydney would continue.

“Some villains in NDIS scammers seem to be under the impression Western Sydney might be a soft touch,” Mr Shorten said, speaking generally.

“They severely underestimate my determination to get rid of the crooks, and the people of Western Sydney are supplying a lot of valuable information because they don’t want these vultures hanging around their streets exploiting people with disabilities.

“So no more soft touch by the government and no welcome mat in Western Sydney for crooks.

“People of Western Sydney are speaking up and helping us evict opportunistic lowlifes.”

Mr Shorten said the majority of NDIS providers did the right thing.

“But sadly we know there is a criminal element that think they can profiteer from a scheme designed to provide life-changing support to Australians living with ­disability,” he said.

“The National Disability ­Insurance Agency continues to assess every tip-off it receives, and will investigate if there’s any indication someone is looking to skim money from the people for whom it is intended.”

Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717, or email [e-mail].

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