Dole cheat Burwood East dad Aaron McMurray pleads guilty to $34,000 Centrelink fraud
A dole cheat Burwood East dad roped his special needs son into a brazen attempt to rort $40,000 via a Centrelink super rort.
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A Burwood East dad grifted more than $34,000 in bogus dole payments via a devious Centrelink fraud racket spearheaded by forgery and lies.
Aaron McMurray, 48, was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to a community correction order after pleading guilty to multiple fraud offences.
McMurray siphoned $34,107 from Centrelink while living in Victoria and Western Australia between December 2014 and May 2019.
The fraudster provided false information to Centrelink while he earned almost $80,000 working for three different employers Australian Offshore Solutions, Atlas Programmed Marine and MMA Offshore Vessel Operations.
McMurray also failed to declare he reaped $180,647 from AIA Insurance via multiple income protection insurance payments.
The grifter dad also attempted a $40,000 early release superannuation rort in January 2017.
McMurray was granted an early release of $5,717 from his super to purchase specialist equipment for his special-needs child, the court was told.
However, McMurray forged the claim letter provided to Centrelink altering the amount to $45,717.
Centrelink blocked the extra $40,000 payment after McMurray’s super fund attempted to verify the transaction.
McMurray also falsified a medical certificate after his dole was cut off between January and March 2019.
The court heard McMurray, who failed to lodge forms and make compulsory appointments, altered a date on a legitimate medical certificate in a brazen attempt to receive a tasty back payment.
McMurray was also excused from compliance with the minimum 8-hour per week work requirements during the period.
McMurray initially fronted today’s virtual court link via his car but was ordered to get home for the sentencing hearing.
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson handed McMurray a 12-month CCO and ordered he repay the stolen Centrelink cash in full.
McMurray must also perform 125 hours of unpaid community work.
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