Boronia mum Melissa Jane Smith steals 10 people’s identity for Covid payment fraud, Ringwood court hears

An unemployed Boronia scammer pocketed thousands of dollars using the details of 10 innocent people in a Covid relief payments fraud.

An unemployed Boronia mum scammed nearly $9000 from the government by stealing the identity of 10 people to apply for fake benefits.

Melissa Jane Smith pleaded guilty to a slew of fraud, drug and theft charges in the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Friday.

In November 2022, Smith called the Service Australia help line using several different names to apply for the federal government’s Pandemic Disaster Leave Payment, the court was told.

Nearly $30,000 was sent into Smith’s bank account. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

Smith told the employee she did not have a reference number but said she was able to provide other forms of identification.

When asked for identity confirmation, Smith lied and used addresses, previous addresses, birth dates and licence numbers of other people to apply for the benefits.

She successfully swindled $9000 from this scheme that could be traced back to her via voice recordings of her sham calls.

Another $22,500 in government payments landed in her bank accounts but prosecutors could not confirm whether Smith made these applications.

The court heard Smith could have made these bogus applications online rather than by phone so they could not be traced to her voice.

Smith was only charged with deal with the proceeds of crime for the $22,500.

Smith also attempted to fraudulently apply for natural disaster benefit payments for her and her children after the 2022 Victorian floods but was denied.

Magistrate Jennifer Tregent said Smith’s scamming was a “low act”.

“It is really abhorrent offending,” she said.

Smith also pleaded guilty to several other offences including a phone theft, a $1624 clothing theft from Westfield Knox and drug possession charges.

Magistrate Tregent will sentence Smith on November 12.