Nine connected to Rebels bikie gang arrested over alleged bushfire grant fraud

Nine people have been arrested in NSW over an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money intended for victims of last year’s bushfires.

The six men and three women are connected to the Rebels bikie gang, police say.

Police made the arrests during a two-day operation across Greater Sydney and the Southern Highlands on Wednesday and Thursday.

The group made a total of $700,000 in claims through a NSW government grant scheme and successfully received $113,000, police will allege in court.

Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow, said the alleged crimes were “particularly heinous” in light of the devastation of the 2019-20 fire season.

Nine people connected to the Rebels are accused of trying to rip off bushfire relief grant money. Credit: AAP

“The bushfires completely destroyed thousands of homes, schools, community facilities and other critical infrastructure and tragically claimed the lives of 26 people, including three Rural Fire Service volunteers,” Det Supt Critchlow said in a statement.

“Sadly, the aftermath of this tragedy was many small businesses were severely affected and the federal government funding was established to provide them some relief.

“Unfortunately, there are segments of society who will choose to use situations such as these to gain personal financial advantage, and not surprisingly on this occasion the alleged offenders have ties to outlaw motorcycle gangs.”

The group made a total of $700,000 in claims through a NSW government grant scheme and successfully received $113,000, police will allege in court. Credit: Andrew Merry/Getty Images

During the two-day operation, police raided 11 sites and seized documentation, mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, electronic storage devices, cash, prescription medication, and prohibited drugs including ecstasy, cannabis, ice and steroids.

Police set up Strike Force Fireant in August to investigate reports that members and associates of the Rebels were involved in obtaining unlawful grant money through a NSW government scheme.

The people arrested are aged between 25 and 37. Their charges include dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and publishing misleading material to obtain advantage.

Two 30-year-old men will appear in the local court on Thursday after being refused bail. Three men and a woman will appear in Windsor Local Court on January 21.

Two women, aged 25 and 37, were arrested on Thursday and charges are yet to be laid.

Australia - BNN.