Barry James Smash Repairs director Glen Antony James faces court for $32k invoice fraud

A Ballarat towing business director engaged in “double-dipping”, invoicing twice 50 towing jobs and taking more than $32,000 from insurers.

A towing vehicle from Ballarat-based Barry James Smash Repairs. Photo: Barry James Smash Repairs

The director of the “the biggest tow operator in the western region” fraudulently obtained more than $30,000 over five years by invoicing twice for the same towing jobs.

Wendouree man Glen Antony James, 56, pleaded guilty at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to five rolled-up charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

The court heard James, as a director for Barry James Smash Repairs in Ballarat Central until 2023, had a contract with Victoria Police for towing vehicles in certain scenarios, with the police liable for the cost.

But between February 2018 and April 2023, James engaged in “double-dipping” 50 times, invoicing both the police and insurers, mainly AAI, but also Allianz, Auto & General, IAG, and QBE.

The amounts James invoiced insurers and received totalled $32,084, more than half of which came from AAI.

When he was arrested in May 2023, he offered “various explanations”, the court heard.

The court was told the offending was partly due to an “antiquated” filing system and confusing documents, and James has since spent $80,000 on a new computer system.

He was described as a “devoted father and husband, a reliable friend, [and] a positive influence on others”.

He will be sentenced at a later date.