Director of disability service providers accused of defrauding NDIS of more than $2 million
A woman in charge of four NDIS service providers is behind bars accused of taking more than $2 million from taxpayers.
Ebtesam Ibrahim Hamoud Fahmy, director of four disability service providers in Sydney’s west, was arrested in July and August following a series of raids organized by a specialist NDIS fraud taskforce.
The raids in Casula, Potts Hill and Liverpool saw boxes of paperwork, mobile phones, computers, bank documents and other evidence seized against the four providers, two of which immediately had their registrations suspended.
Investigators allege that Ms. Fahmy, 54, was the subject of more than 15 tips, including that her services were working with participants, who were paid kickbacks, to defraud the Commonwealth.
A Western Sydney woman has been jailed while accused of defrauding the NDIS of more than $2 billion
At a trial in Liverpool on Wednesday, Ms Fahmy was accused of dishonest intent to gain and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
She was refused bail until she can make an application at Downing Center Local Court next month.
The registration of two providers was immediately suspended
Notices of intent have been issued to ban Ms Fahmy, another woman and the four registered and unregistered NDIS providers.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten told the Daily telegram that he could not comment on a case before the court, but warned those who might think Western Sydney was a ‘soft touch’ for fraudsters.
“They seriously underestimated my determination to get rid of the crooks,” Mr Shorten said.
“The people of Western Sydney provide a lot of valuable information because they don’t want these vultures hanging out on the streets and exploiting people with disabilities.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said fraudsters are taking an estimated $6 billion out of the program every year
‘The National Disability Insurance Agency continues to assess every tip it receives and will investigate whether there are indications that someone wants to take money from the people for whom the tip is intended.’
Last year, Mr Shorten promised to crack down on scammers who use the subsidy program for people with disabilities through false and grossly inflated invoices.
He said an estimated $6 billion is being siphoned off by crooks buying into the $30 billion program.