Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad have charged seven people following the discovery of fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims in a scheme which has paid out over $1 billion in claims to date.
Strike Force Veritas was established by State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad in February 2024 to investigate alleged fraudulent compensation claims for historical sexual abuse brought against the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and the NSW Department of Education (DoE).
During the investigation, detectives identified several ‘claims farmers’ at the centre of the scheme. These individuals allegedly approached adults who were former young offenders, inmates, and public-school students, encouraging them to file fraudulent compensation claims for historical child sexual abuse while in care.
The claims farmers then coached these prospective claimants on how to make fraudulent claims through various Sydney law firms, receiving a benefit for each referral.
The proceeds were reportedly referred to as ‘bum money’ within the criminal syndicates, and detectives suspect a significant portion of the $1.3 billion worth of claims are fraudulent.
Following extensive inquiries, about 6.05am yesterday (Wednesday 12 February 2025), strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant in Girraween where they arrested a 55-year-old man.
The man was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with 21 offences, including nine counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, eight counts of accessory before the fact to publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage, three counts of incite to commit publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage and dishonestly intend to obtain a gain.
He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Thursday 13 February 2025).
Police will allege in court the 55-year-old man was a claims farmer in the scheme.
About 7.45am, strike force detectives arrested a 53-year-old woman in Granville. She was taken to Auburn Police Station, where she was charged with publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 25 March 2025.
About 7.50am, a 32-year-old man was arrested in Pendle Hill. He was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
About 11.40am, strike force detectives arrested a 42-year-old man at Gladesville Police Station. He was charged with publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Burwood Local Court on Monday 3 March 2025.
About 12.05pm, a 52-year-old woman was arrested in Horsley. She was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where she was charged with publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 25 March 2025.
About 2.30pm, detective arrested a 35-year-old woman in Pendle Hill. She was taken to Granville Police Station, where she was charged with publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
With assistance from Queensland Police, a 23-year-old Mermaid Beach man was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage, to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 25 March 2025.
In addition to the arrests, police also executed a search warrant at a law firm in Sydney where they seized items relevant to their investigation.
Police will allege in court the seven people charged stood to make $3.75 million in fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims but were uncovered before the claims were paid out.
Investigations under Strike Force Veritas continue, with more arrests expected.
Source: NSW Police website
Andrew. How could there be any verdict other than – Not Proven- in such cases as Noel’s ? It doesn’t mean the court has
found the monetary compensation
seekers are necessarily to be lying .
We just don’t bloody know ! There has to be some doubt after 50 years of
silence. The money seeking lawyer coaching system would sure make some of us – just a little wary of ancient unprovable-undefendable claims – resulting in death in prison!
For crys’ sake !
To find an answer, if there is one outside a spiritual, religious explanation, read Fr. Gordon McRae’s regular blog on Beyondthesestonewalls.com
In his latest writing he explains how society has given in to the lies of the media, placing moral panic above moral truth.
Their motto – why let the truth get in the way of a good story…
Remember the statement by a famous campaigner against child abuse? She stated (quoting from memory): ” Too bad if one accused goes to jail innocently, if it saves children from…”
I think you are referring to this: “I’m actually not at all concerned about innocent men losing their jobs over false sexual assault allegations…” Nov. 28, 2017, Emily Lindin, Teen Vogue columnist, on twitter.
I was referring to Hetty Johnston, who said it.
That would be the HJ who wrote in the Courier Mail 7 April 2020 in relation to the High Court judgment Pell v The Queen:
“The message from the High Court today is that there is a new normal, and that the voices of child sexual assault victims are overwhelmingly inconsequential”… “The clear message from the High Court to all victims everywhere is to keep your mouth shut” and “The biggest casualty in all of this is truth and justice. How can victims of sexual crimes ever have confidence in the system that has now so categorically and completely betrayed them”…”As it stands, sex offenders everywhere will be rejoicing at this nonsensical decision. Survivors everywhere will be reassessing disclosing against their offenders”…
Hetty Johnston AM GAICD is the founder and executive director of Bravehearts.
I note her organisation is listed on the National Redress Scheme website, as an organisation that can “help you fill out a redress application, or fill out an application with you”. No 2 on the list of over 40 or so on the website.
As per the NRS news/stats page: As at 31 January 2025, there have been 55,740 applications to the Scheme. 21,071 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these 17,810 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.59 billion dollars
And the 2023 Govt Rept on NRS website: As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Government announced funding of $142.2 million over five years to support the Scheme to continue to deliver outcomes for survivors, including $80.1 million to 30 June 2027 for Redress Support Services to assist survivors to apply to the Scheme.
Scheme has been operating since 2018. No oath/affirmation/JP signature required.
Thanks Ann for that detailed info.
I know of one case, where an alleged abuse victim stated their life had been ruined (as a result of abuse).
Next, he landed an executive position with a huge
salary, living in a flashy neighbourhood.
Doesn’t it say somewhere, the love of money is the root of all evil?
It is one thing to try and become rich through fraud, fabricating stories of abuse. But when these lies land innocent people in jail, the damage is unimaginable. I hope these fraudsters receive the same punishment as my friend in jail, who is still seeking justice after false allegations landed him there 24 years ago.
This is nothing new. My family have been the victim of false abuse claims to get victims of crime payment.
As long as we have WOKE detectives who boast that they don’t have to investigate – they get paid anyway, prosecutors who knowingly and deliberately lie and mislead the jury and judges that don’t do their job when it is obvious that the jury have been researching on the internet when specifically told not to, accused will continue to become victims.
Such is justice in this country!