A woman has been jailed and thousands of dollars recovered through court action as the State Insurance Regulatory Authority cracks down on fraud. 

Haneen Asfour was sentenced last month at the Downing Centre Local Court to 18 months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 months after admitting receiving almost $350,000 of benefits to which she was not entitled. Costs of $8942 were also ordered and a fingerprint order was made. 

SIRA investigations showed Asfour waged a sustained campaign of fraudulent conduct by producing and presenting 460 false documents over a 17-month period, aimed at deceiving her compulsory third party insurer.

The charge, placed under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), stemmed from a motor vehicle accident on December 4 2022. 

The court heard Asfour impersonated medical practitioners and service providers, created false email accounts in their names and generated supporting documentation including treatment plans and assessments to facilitate the fraud. 

SIRA says the case follows the earlier prosecution of Reece Gregory, who was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month community correctional order with a supervision condition and a fine of $2000 for receiving compensation payments to which he was not entitled. 

Gregory was also ordered to pay restitution of $8909 to the Workers Compensation Insurance Fund and professional costs of $2500 to SIRA. The court imposed a fingerprint order. 

In late August, Maria Wrage appeared in the same court, pleading guilty to dishonestly obtaining almost $3000 in weekly workers compensation payments. 

Wrage was convicted and had a 16-month conditional release order imposed. She was also ordered to pay $5786 in compensation to the Workers Compensation Insurance Fund and $3000 in professional costs. 

SIRA CEO Samantha Taylor says fraud is a criminal offence that undermines scheme integrity, fairness and public confidence. 

“As SIRA continues to strengthen its response to fraud, those who seek to exploit NSW insurance schemes can expect greater scrutiny and a stronger regulatory response,” she said.