Mildura grandma scams taxpayers of more than $200k, spends on car, jewellery, gambling

A con artist Mildura grandma treated herself to a Mercedes Benz and got on the punt after she wickedly scammed $200k through a dodgy business tax fraud.

Mildura woman Rebecca Douglas defrauded the government of more than $200k and attempted to con more than $400k Picture: iStock

A dodgy Mildura granny defrauded taxpayers of more than $200,000 and attempted to scam a further $400,000 to purchase a luxury car and fuel her gambling habit.

Rebecca Douglas, 43, fronted the County Court on Monday, October 28, where she was sentenced to three years and six months having earlier pleaded guilty to attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception from the Commonwealth and another two charges of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception from the Commonwealth.

The court heard Douglas lodged multiple dodgy Business Activity Statements (BAS) with both her own ABN and the ABN of her ex-partner to the tune of $620,128.59.

Douglas re-registered her ABN in August 2021 and described her new venture as a bed and breakfast and catering, according to official paperwork.

From September 2021 through to April 2022, Douglas made 29 BAS lodgements as she racked up big purchases including jewellery, electronics and car related expenses.

Rebecca Douglas fronted Melbourne County Court for defrauding the ATO of more than $200k.

Douglas was eventually busted after the ATO undertook audits on the fraudulent BAS she lodged .

The swindling matriarc admitted to avoiding any and all contact with the ATO after they had contacted her by phone.

Police claimed Douglas paid $28,000 of her ill-gotten gains for a flash Mercedes Benz, although when she was interviewed she claimed she did not know where the car was or where she purchased it from.

During her record of interview, Douglas told police she was in a “bad spot” and the money was “easy money – too easy”.

She also said she remembered little of her year-long offending because of her use of methamphetamine, GHB, ecstasy and cannabis.

Rebecca Douglas attempted to scam a further $400k from the government. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

County Court Judge Kate Hawkins called the offending brazen, and that tax fraud was not a victimless crime.

“It is clear that no sentence other than one that involves an immediate term of imprisonment is warranted,” Judge Hawkins said.

Judge Hawkins added Douglas would be expected to make reparations to the tune of more than $207k.

Douglas must serve two years and four months before being eligible for parole.

“Had you pleaded not guilty and been found guilty after trial, I would have sentenced you to six years imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years,” Judge Hawkins said.