Amid rising pressure on workers comp, a Victorian business owner was jailed for 22 months and fined $350,000 for fraud.
After serving prison time for years of workers’ comp fraud, a business owner must repay $350,000.
In 2005, while principal of a Melbourne Islamic college, Samer Ahmed suffered a workplace injury causing depression and anxiety. In March 2006, he submitted a workers’ compensation claim, which was approved within a month, leading to regular compensation payments.
Ahmed, claiming disability since 2006, bought property and ran a childcare center while on compensation.
From 2009 to 2014, Ahmed actively managed the business before selling it for a profit. He handled staffing, payroll, superannuation, procurement, and even submitted a financial application to a major bank.
He also undertook voluntary work in 2015, including conducting a halal audit at Rio Tinto.
Ahmed’s fraud was exposed after he accidentally sent incorrect documents to his insurer, triggering a WorkCover investigation.
A jury convicted him on seven charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
JJudge Scott Johns ordered Ahmed to repay $350,000, noting his strong earning potential despite receiving a $1,000 pension.
Ahmed, a father of four, must serve at least eight months before parole eligibility.
WorkSafe’s Roger Arnold called Ahmed’s case one of the worst he’d seen, citing his long-running lies to medical experts.
Arnold said the scheme supports injured workers and warned that fraudsters will be held accountable.
If you suspect an injured worker is acting unlawfully while on compensation, contact our team to explore options.
Source: Australian Associated Press
Title: Business owner jailed for workers compensation fraud
Read Time: 5-10 minutes