‘N.Z. nationals’ in Social Security fraud

Press, 10 March 1984, Page 29

‘N.Z. nationals’ in Social Security fraud

NZPA Canberra New Zealanders and Cuban refugees are involved in two of four groups of people under investigation bv the Australian Federal Police for possible organised Social Security cheque frauds. Four separate groups were allegedly involved in such schemes, said the officer in charge of the Australian Federal Police Criminal Investigation Division, Chief Superintendent Colin Winchester. Several arrests have been made in cases involving the New Zealand and Qiban groups. Similar types of offences have also been referred to the Federal Police by the Costigan Royal Commission into the Ship Painters and Dockers’ Union and the Federal Police are investigating a fourth group based in Melbourne but also functioning out of Sydney. “One group, consisting mostly of New Zealand nationals, indentified themselves with New Zealand drivers’ licences or birth certificates in names made

out to that on the cheque,” Mr Winchester said. "The second group, of Cuban refugees, identified themselves by way of Department of Social Security letters completed in the names of the cheque. “Each letter has a Social Security Department rubber stamp imprint on it, which tends to indicate that the group has possession of this stamp,” Mr Winchester said. “A number of persons have been arrested from both groups and inquiries are continuing,” he said. It is not known how much money is involved in the frauds but in at least three cases cheques of up to sAust3o,ooo (about $42,000) are thought to have been paid into bank accounts in one month. Some of the groups also are considered to be still active. Mr Winchester earlier yesterday identified two of the groups in evidence to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts. He is expected to give further evidence on March 28.