Media Release
Man sentenced to three years jail for welfare fraud
3 August 2007
A 52-year-old man who used a false identity to steal almost $120,000 in welfare over an 11-year period has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Gosford District Court today.
Robert Barlow of the NSW Central Coast pleaded guilty to falsely claiming Centrelink payments between February 1992 and December 2004.
The court heard Barlow was in receipt of the single rate of Parenting Payment under his real name while also claiming unemployment benefits under a false identity. He was also working under his false identity and did not declare any income to Centrelink.
In total Barlow received $119,915.59 in welfare payments and will be eligible for parole after serving 18 months in prison.
Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison, said a tip-off from a member of the public alerted Centrelink investigators to the fraud.
“Most Australians rightly draw the line when people take advantage of the social security system and today’s sentencing is an example of the community helping Centrelink keep the system fair,” he said.
“Centrelink first became aware of the fraud after a tip-off from a concerned member of the public. Centrelink fraud investigators then undertook an extensive investigation to establish the extent of the offence.”
Senator Ellison said all Australians have a key role in helping Centrelink keep the system fair.
“People who want to report suspected cases of welfare fraud can call the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line on 13 15 24,” he said.
“Centrelink's specialised investigation teams follow up each and every tip-off from the public. As a result of tip-offs from the public, Centrelink conducted more than 59,781 reviews of customers in 2005-06, which resulted in around 11,492 reductions in payment, and debts and savings of over $125.6 million.”
Senator Ellison said Centrelink has the resources to catch people who claim payments to which they’re not entitled.
“The message from today’s sentencing is – if you’re going to rort the system, it’s only a matter of time until Centrelink catches up to you,” he said.
“Tough sentences like we saw today should serve as a strong warning to others who are thinking about ripping off the system.”
During the 2005-06 financial year, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions successfully prosecuted 2,822 cases of welfare fraud to the value of more than $34 million in payments.
Media Contact: Michael Barrett – 0419 424 359.