Salim Mehajer among four arrested over allegations of insurance fraud

Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer is among four people arrested over allegations of insurance fraud relating to a car crash in 2017.

Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer leaves the Burwood Local Court last December.

Controversial property developer and former deputy major of Sydney’s Auburn Salim Mehajer has been arrested over perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to cheat and defraud in connection to a car crash he was involved in late last year.

On October 16, while driving to Sydney’s Downing Central Local Court to face charges of assaulting a taxi driver, Mr Mehajer was involved in a crash in his white Mercedes AMG wagon, causing his court case to be postponed.

A door was removed from the vehicle to free Mr Mehajer, who was fitted with a neck brace and stretchered out, leading his lawyer to tell the court Mr Mehajer had been involved in a “serious” accident.

Salim Mehajer being taken from the accident. Picture: Kelly Fedor

Following the crash it emerged police were investigating several fraudulent insurance claims allegedly involving luxury cars registered to Mr Mehajer or his companies.

This morning three men, aged 28, 30 and 31, and a 31-year old woman were arrested and taken to police stations for questioning.

Mr Mehajer and a 28-year-old man will be charged with perverting the course of justice and with conspiracy to cheat and defraud.

A 31-year-old woman and 30-year-old man are expected to be charged with conspiracy to cheat and defraud.

Mr Mehajer’s close friend and business associate, Ahmed Jaghbir, is one of the other people arrested. While police refused to confirm the identities of the other two people in police custody, The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Ahmed Jaghbir, the former Auburn deputy mayor’s close friend and business associate, was also arrested this morning over a conspiracy to cheat and defraud. Jaghbir, who was on bail after being charged with the underworld murder of Kemel “Blackie” Barakat in March 2017, is also the director of Mehajer Wedding & Event Planning services.

During a press conference at Auburn Police Station this morning, Flemington Local Area Commander, Detective Superintendant Philip Rogerson, said Mr Mehajer’s behaviour was unacceptable. “It’s not acceptable,” Inspector Rogerson said. “It’s not acceptable to the police, to the emergency services, that freed them on that particular day and obviously to the insurance services.”

While, Inspector Rogerson couldn’t answer whether any money changed hands, he said the accused parties are facing a lengthy prison term.

In an earlier crash, a Land Cruiser linked to Mr Mehajer was hit by another Land Cruiser at an intersection and in another a Mercedes was hit from the side. At the time Seven Network reported claims had been made to NRMA following each crash, however the NRMA declined to respond saying it was unable to disclose personal information of its customers.

“The NSW Police Force has recently received referrals relating to fraudulent insurance claims,” police said at the time. “Investigations into these matters are now underway.”

Mr Mehajer is facing a string of court battles and is due to face court in coming weeks over multiple charges of electoral fraud.

He is also to face the charge of assaulting a taxi driver and of allegedly assaulting Seven News reporter Laura Banks.

Mr Mehajer is currently banned from managing companies, but his three-year ban will expire late this year.

With Olivia Caisley