GEELONG’S FRAUD

CRIME WAVE:

DECEPTION offences have more than doubled across Greater Geelong in the space of a year as police work to identify the region’s fraudsters and welfare cheats.

The number of obtaining benefit by deception offences jumped from 1003 to 2207 between 2016 and last year. Back in 2009 the number of offences was just 339.

Corio, Newcomb, Norlane, Bell Park, Bell Post Hill and Breakwater recorded the highest number of alleged deception offences in 2017, Crime Statistic Agency ( CSA) data has revealed.

The number of offences in Corio has swelled from 36 in 2007 to 380 last year.

Newcomb recorded the second highest number of offences with 227 last year.

Geelong police Inspector Gary Bruce said the internet and new technologies were behind much of the rise alongside a select few criminals who commit large numbers of fraud offences.

“Internet deceptions are a considerable issue for us as is identity fraud,” he said. “We see business practises opening phone accounts and things under fraudulent names using someone elses identity.”

“And then there are those who’ve caused a significant blowout in the numbers generally.

“Where previously we’ve filed a charge with a time range ... now we’ve had to file single charges.”

Department of Human Services spokesman Hank Jongen said during 2016/17, DHS referred a 709 matters to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Of these, 132 matters were in Victoria.

“Most people who receive assistance are honest and do the right thing. Unfortunately, a small number of people occasionally set out to deliberately defraud the Commonwealth by claiming benefits they’re not entitled to or by not informing the department when their circumstances change,” he said. “Cases where deliberate deception and intent to defraud can be established are referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to determine if prosecution action is appropriate.”

Mr Jongen said people could report suspected welfare fraud at services.gov.au/fraud or by calling the Australian Government Services fraud tip-off line on 13 15 24.

The maximum penalty for obtaining benefit by deception is 10 years in jail.