Man arrested over alleged $500000 fraud
Man arrested over alleged $500000 fraudNinemsn, AustraliaA man's been arrested over an alleged $500000 life insurance fraud believed to be linked to a donation made to the
Cronulla Sharks. The 27-year-old Goulburn man was arrested at a
Cronulla hotel, in southern Sydney, about 3.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday,
...
Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/826236/man-arrested-over-alleged-500000-fraud
Man arrested over alleged $500,000 fraud
21:25 AEST Jun 16 2009
Police have raided the home of a Sharks fan who allegedly donated large sums of money to the club.
A man has been arrested over an alleged $500,000 life insurance fraud, believed to be linked to a donation made to the Cronulla Sharks rugby league club.
The 27-year-old Goulburn man was arrested at a Cronulla hotel, in southern Sydney, at about 3.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, police said.
Detectives began investigating the matter after a major insurance firm reported that doctors nominated by the man had "denied treating him or any knowledge of his reported illness".
The man had allegedly claimed to be suffering from a terminal illness.
"Detectives were also made aware of the man's disguised appearance on a television news program at the weekend in which he claimed he donated $30,000 from a life insurance payout to an NRL football club," police said in a statement.
Media reports named the man as Clint Elford, who had claimed to be suffering from the neurological condition Shy-Drager Syndrome.
He may have used money from the allegedly false insurance claim to pay the Cronulla Sharks, News Ltd reported.
When asked why he was arrested, the man told the Seven Network: "Because they've said I frauded (sic) Allianz insurance". He denied the allegation.
Media reports over the past week have said a 27-year-old Sharks fan contacted the club, offering to donate money from an insurance payout.
Former Cronulla chief executive Tony Zappia is alleged to have had contact with the man, who wanted to set up a foundation to assist the cash-strapped club.
Zappia met with the Sharks board at Cronulla on Tuesday afternoon.
After the meeting he told reporters he had always acted in the interest of the club and used the funds for its benefit.
"I acknowledge that I did not inform the board about the foundation or the source of donations to it," he said, reading from a statement.
"The board is disappointed about this and in hindsight I regret not informing them."
In a statement, the Sharks board said it was angry they were only informed about the money and the existence of the foundation through media reports.
"Mr Zappia produced records pertaining to the donations and the foundation that he received and set up," the statement said.
The board's legal team will examine all the information and write a report, which will be handed on to the NRL and any relevant authorities.
The Seven Network also reported the man had spent all of his payout on donations to organisations including Oxfam, the Royal Children's Hospital, and $50,000 to the Waverley lifeguards.
Financial documents, framed football jerseys and Sharks team photos were among items seized in a raid on the man's Goulburn home on Tuesday afternoon.
"Police are continuing to make inquiries with a number of other major insurance companies and investigations are ongoing," police said.
The man is being questioned at Miranda station.
