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Man allegedly claims more than 500 Covid-19 grants worth $60k

Police say they have uncovered an elaborate Covid-19 fraud after a man allegedly obtained more than 500 grants worth almost $60,000 using false names.

Police uncover an elaborate Covid-19 fraud

A man allegedly claimed more than 500 government grants worth tens of thousands of dollars in an elaborate Covid-19 fraud.

Police allege a 41-year-old Victorian man from Braybrook in Melbourne’s west submitted more than 500 fraudulent applications that were successful for Covid-19 temporary isolation payments during the pandemic.

They say the man used a variety of false names on the grant applications that were worth almost $60,000 between 2020 and 2021.

Police raided the man’s home on Thursday. Picture: Victoria Police
Police raided the man’s home on Thursday. Picture: Victoria Police

Police searched the man’s home on Thursday afternoon and seized a card printing machine, a card embossing machine, blank Victorian drivers’ licence cards, false identification documents including proof of age cards, Medicare cards and drivers’ licences, four mobile phones, signal jammers, tablets and a computer.

The man is expected to be charged on summons with deception and fraudulent document-related offences.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/man-allegedly-claims-more-than-500-covid19-grants-worth-60k/news-story/3969c69dc117922d94aaa1d9d372d30d