A north Queensland office manager is facing 120 criminal charges over an alleged sophisticated fraud scheme worth more than $2.5 million spanning six years.
Police allege the Townsville woman, 50, stole the funds from a business in the small town of Tully, south of Cairns, between 2017 and 2023.
The alleged crimes were only uncovered after the business owner reported suspicious financial activity to police last year.
Acting Superintendent Kevin Goan said the alleged crime involved “a significant amount of deceit”.
“Police will allege the woman used her position to take several measures, including relocating funds, altering business documents, including payroll information, to commit the offences,” he said.
The year-long investigation culminated in a search of several properties and businesses in Tully and Brisbane, where officers seized electronic equipment and financial documents.
“The impact of the [alleged] fraud offending affects multiple businesses,” he said.
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan says the alleged fraud was discovered when the business conducted an audit.(ABC Far North: Holly Richardson)
Charges include more than 100 counts of stealing, 13 counts of computer hacking and misuse, and several counts of fraud involving values of at least $100,000.
Superintendent Goan declined to say what business or industry the woman worked in, nor how she allegedly spent the money.
“We’re going back to recapture what measures the person has put in place to try and hide the false falsification of records to enable them to gain a benefit,” he said.
He believes she allegedly acted alone.
“To have amassed $2.5 million over a 10-year period is obviously a significant detriment to the business, and obviously a significant detriment to others with whom that business had been conducting their business,” he said.
Superintendent Goan had a message for all businesses.
“If you think something is not right, then you need to take the necessary steps to be assured that your practices are safe, and that you are not being defrauded,” he said.
The woman was arrested in Townsville on June 5 and is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on August 12.
She is not in police custody and investigations are continuing.