Shorten’s fraud squad stops $75m worth of NDIS payments meant for crooks

A western Sydney cleaner is one of several to admit ripping off the NDIS as Bill Shorten continues his assault on dodgy providers – stopping $75 million worth of dubious payments.

A whopping $75 million worth of payments to NDIS crooks have been stopped in just four months by a crack team of fraud investigators who are “outsmarting the rorters”.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said the “tempo for investigations, prosecutions and convictions is ramping up” as he works to a tight deadline of cleaning up the beleaguered NDIS system before he exits.

“What we are seeing is the hard work since we got elected come to fruition. This is all because these venal, bottom dwelling, scum sucking opportunists are now beginning to face their overdue reckoning.”

Mr Shorten, who last month announced he was quitting politics after 30 years, said he still had a lot of work to do and anyone thinking they could continue to rip off participants and the NDIS “need to have a rethink”.

The NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce raiding a property in western Sydney in 2022 over a Middle Eastern organised crime posing as disability support providers. Picture: AFP

In one of several major busts, a cleaner from western Sydney admitted ripping off the NDIS of more than $1 million.

Tamara Gai Berridge, who ran a Kellyville-based business called Magic Maid Possible, pleaded guilty to fraud-related offences and will be sentenced next year.

She was also issued with a banning order preventing her from providing support and services to NDIS-funded participants for two years.

In another bust, a Western Sydney man was sentenced to 10 months’ jail for dealing with proceeds of crime relating to a fraud involving $69,000.

Kareem Al Shamare had been an NDIS participant before having his access to the Scheme revoked.

Investigators go through documents during a raid in western Sydney. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says the tempo for raids, investigations and prosecutions is rising. Picture: AFP/NDIS

Cash found during raids in western Sydney in 2022. One of the key players was sentenced to 10 months’ jail for dealing with proceeds of crime relating to a fraud involving $69,000. Picture: AFP/NDIS

It was found he had colluded with family members – who had been operating as a disability provider – to defraud the NDIS.

Those additional family members will face sentencing over their role in the coming months.

The fusion task force data gurus are not only sniffing out claims that don’t add up but their work is being bolstered by the “disability community playing its part” and giving more than 5000 tip-offs so far this financial year.

Mr Shorten said the latest cases were a timely reminder of the National Disability Insurance Agency’s enhanced capability to detect and prevent fraud against the Scheme.

“The establishment of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce means you’re taking on the

collaborative power of 21 Commonwealth agencies, as well as state-based police,

working together,” he said.

Minister Bill Shorten has vowed to keep up the pressure on NDIS crooks.

NDIS officers and AFP officers during crackdowns on dodgy providers.

“For any dodgy provider doing the wrong thing, I guess the question you have to ask yourself is: Do you feel lucky?”

“Providers need to understand that they can’t be half honest. If the NDIA suspects

something might be dodgy about a submitted claim, the Agency won’t pay it and will

make inquiries,” Minister Shorten said.

“If fraudulent activity is detected, its first priority is ensuring participant safety and welfare

– meaning the Agency will move participants to alternative providers – and may then

launch an investigation into the provider.

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