Two Charged After WA Mining Company Loses $11m in Fraud Case

Police have charged a Victorian man who they say stole $11 million over eight years from WA-based company Ausdrill and the woman who allegedly helped him do it by approving shonky office supply payments in exchange for gifts.

In April, Ausdrill, a large mining services company, announced it had uncovered potentially fraudulent payments to an unrelated supplier totalling about $10 million.

It said the payments appeared to have been approved and concealed by an “Australian-based employee”.

It sacked the employee and reported reported the matter to police who began investigating.

Major Fraud Squad detectives have now charged a 39-year-old man from Victoria.

Police allege the man was involved in “false billing offending” that allegedly defrauded Ausdrill of $11.1 million between 2011 to 2019.

Detectives also charged a 35-year-old Perth woman who they allege approved payment for office supplies in exchange for payment by gift vouchers or electronic devices.

Police will further allege the office supplies were sold at a significantly inflated cost and were never received.

The man was charged with one count of gains benefit by fraud; one count of gift or offer of secret commission to an agent (favour) and; one count of dealt with proceeds of crime etc.

He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The woman was also charged and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on August 7.

An Ausdrill spokesman said the company and its external forensic investigator assisted police with their investigations and would monitor the court process.

Source: WA Today, 01 August 2019