Five people charged as federal police probe up to $235 million in alleged fraud

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) says its investigations into alleged fraud against the Commonwealth are continuing.

Confirmed

Five people have been charged over alleged fraud against the Commonwealth, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said. The charges came from the Fraud Fusion Taskforce. Business News Australia reported that police carried out 26 search warrants. The AFP says its seven investigations look at up to $235 million in actual and potential fraud. That figure covers all seven investigations. It is not the amount the five people are accused of taking. Region Canberra reported that the alleged fraud targeted four federal government agencies. The Nightly also reported on the charges. The five people have not been named. They are accused of crimes, and none has been convicted. Each will face court. The AFP says its investigations are continuing. Government agencies pay for health care, welfare and other services. Fraud against them takes money away from those services. Police have not said whether more people will be charged.