Man Charged with Stealing $54,000 from Person with Disability
Quick Look
- A 70-year-old man has been charged with 264 counts of fraud for allegedly stealing over $54,000 from a person with a disability he was hired to support.
- The funds, including NDIS payments, were allegedly used for personal purchases like holidays and massages.
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Why It Matters
A 70-year-old man, appointed as a homesharer, is accused of defrauding a person with a disability he was engaged to support. The alleged fraud involved over $54,000 used for personal purchases between 2014 and 2025.
A 70-year-old man has been charged with fraudulently making more than $54,000 worth of purchases, including for holidays and massages, using the funds of a person with a disability he was engaged to support.
Detectives from the WA Police Financial Crime Squad have charged the man, who was an appointed homesharer living with the alleged victim, with 264 counts of gains benefit by fraud, dating from 2014 to 2025.
Police claim the man helped the alleged victim set up a bank account, keeping the associated bank card, and accessed the account to provide the intellectually disabled man with an allowance.
The 70-year-old is accused of using funds from the account where the victim's NDIS payments were deposited for a "significant number of personal purchases", including holidays, alcohol, tools and massages for himself.
The purchases totalled more than $54,000.
The man is due to face Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
In a statement, police said offences involving the financial exploitation of vulnerable people were taken seriously.
"Individuals who rely on carers or support arrangements should be treated with dignity, respect and honesty at all times," police said in a statement.
"Anyone who suspects financial abuse, fraud or exploitation of a vulnerable person is urged to report the matter to police."
Open Questions
- What is the specific nature of the disability of the alleged victim?
- What was the exact relationship between the accused and the alleged victim prior to the homesharer appointment?
- What specific measures were in place to prevent financial abuse in this support arrangement?
- Will the NDIS or other support agencies be investigating their oversight processes?
