Christina Nikolic, 47, Browns Plains in Beenleigh Court for AIA $7k fraud

A Logan woman has been sentenced in court after making more than 120 fake life cover policies and bank accounts to take advantage of a promotion which got her $7,000 vouchers for groceries.

Christina Nikolic leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

A Logan woman’s outlandish, fraudulent scheme where she made more than 120 fake life cover policies and used $7,000 in promotional sign-up coupons to buy groceries.

Christina Nikolic pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on March 12 to one count of

obtaining or dealing with another person’s identity or information for the purpose of committing an indictable offence.

The 47-year-old Browns Plains woman also pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by dishonestly obtaining property from another.

The court heard that on August 22, 2023 Nikolic created 121 Commonwealth Bank accounts.

She then used these to create 121 fake life cover policies with company AIA and obtained $7,080 in promotional sign-up coupons, over 12 days.

Nikolic told police she got the idea after seeing a commercial for AIA on television and spent the coupon money on groceries and items from Bunnings.

AIA were informed by police and revealed they were aware their were floors with the policy and it could be gamed and exploited.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Karine Evans said these deceptive acts were harmful to the community.

“This offending is prevalent in society, stealing people’s identity comes at a cost to the community,” she said.

“I accept the defendant has no criminal history, which is in their favour.”

Magistrate Terry Duroux said imprisonment was within range and this sort of offending was dangerous and too common.

“Your behaviour is nothing short of appalling and identity theft is a real issue in my view,” he said.

“It is very prevalent in the modern age of technology and does damage to the community.”

Nikolic was sentenced to six months prison, wholly suspended for one year.

She was also ordered to pay $7,080 in restitution, referred to SPER.

Originally published as Christina Nikolic, 47, Browns Plains in Beenleigh Court for AIA $7k fraud