Dodgy mechanic Muhammed Faisal forced to repay $100k

A Melbourne mechanic made a costly mistake after he was busted working as a taxi driver while receiving compensation for a workplace injury.

Former mechanic Muhammad Faisal pleaded guilty at Werribee Magistrates’ Court to fraudulently obtaining workers compensation payments. Picture: Kristi Miller

A Melbourne mechanic has been forced to repay almost $100,000 after he was caught working on the sly while claiming workers compensation.

Muhammad Faisal, 38, pleaded guilty at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on February 1 to one charge of fraudulently obtaining payments following a workplace accident.

The court heard Faisal had received payments since June 2017 until November 2019 after he injured his right arm and shoulder on the job.

But an inspection of his financial records later found he was performing shifts as a taxi driver and ride-share driver, despite telling doctors he was unable to work.

Faisal was placed on a two year community corrections order and ordered to complete 225 hours of community work.

Faisal also indicated to the court prior to his sentencing that he intended to repay the full amount — $96,196 — that he had fraudulently claimed.

WorkSafe’s insurance business unit executive director Roger Arnold said those who tried to defraud the workers compensation scheme were hurting every other injured Victorian employee who needed support.

“The vast majority of injured workers want to do the right thing and return to work as soon as it is safe to, but there will always be a small minority who are attempted to cheat the system for their own benefit,” Mr Arnold said.

“Compensation is there to support workers and WorkSafe will not hesitate to take action against the kind of dishonesty that undermines the integrity of the entire scheme.”