Gee,
Defrauding again.........
Quote: NDIS scam a bid to live the resort life
JOANNE VELLA
A MAN who was part of a crime ring which defrauded the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) of $1.5m planned to use the funds to develop a resort on the Indonesian island of Lombok, a court has heard.
Alhassane Hilmi, 29, was part of a syndicate that used NDIS funds to pay for luxury items such as sports cars and Rolex watches.
Hilmi’s wife, his sister Amal Hilmi, her partner Alan Rifai, his older brother Mostafa Hilmi and his girlfriend Michelle Mary Ross were charged with fleecing the federal government, with police alleging they made fake claims on behalf of more than 70 Australians who lost access to money to support their genuine health problems. They allegedly formed three NDIS providers including Universal Group and Reliance so they could make the fraudulent claims in western Sydney.
Hilmi and Rifai — who were sentenced in September
— splurged $83,000 on a Porsche Cayenne, which police seized, along with an Audi A3 and Mercedes E6, during raids at Liverpool and Lurnea in May 2019.
Hilmi pleaded guilty to conspire to dishonestly obtain a gain last June.
On Monday, Parramatta District Court heard he became a signatory with Reliance, using funds to purchase a parcel of land in Lombok for the resort, along with Amal, Mostafa and Rifai, who also purchased an investment property at Goulburn, in relation to which the government later froze access.
Hilmi, 29, served six months in prison before being granted bail. He faced court for sentencing and his defence barrister Michael Coroneos said he was reluctant to get involved in the scheme but did so because he was “indebted” to help his sister Amal so she could leave her marriage. In September, Rifai was sentenced to 4 ˝ years in jail while Amal was sentenced to two years and nine months.
Judge David Arnott continued Hilmi’s bail and reserved the judgment for April 30, when Mostafa’s trial will begin.
Co-accused Ross’ matter was adjourned to June 4.
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