Foreigner's fraudulent Medicare transactions and other offences spark concern

Disclaimer: The names in asterisks were changed for privacy purposes. This article also discusses distressing topics about abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

Australia's immigration and healthcare services recently came under fire over two unresolved incidents.

Despite clear evidence, government agencies have repeatedly failed to take decisive action.


A man, reportedly a North American national, slipped through the cracks of immigration oversight and was granted entry into Australia.

His subsequent actions exposed the weaknesses in both the immigration process and the country's Medicare system.

The man, who remains unidentified, sparked outrage and concern after news of him abusing his ex-wife broke out.

Natalie* has endured years of emotional and physical abuse at his hands.


compressed-Foreign man.jpeg
According to Natalie, the man threatened her by sending her a video of him wielding a gun. Image Credit: Natalie


She mailed the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, asking about revoking her sponsorship for the man's visa, which she initiated in 2020.

However, immigration services abruptly gave him a permanent residency.

The government's mishandling of the situation only compounded her suffering, as she now lives in fear for her safety.


While investigating this man's matter, documents also revealed a series of frauds he committed prior to the domestic abuse.

In July 2018, he assumed the identity of an Australian citizen to undergo major surgery.

This procedure should have been inaccessible to him, as he was on a working holiday visa.

Prior to the operation, he had access to a specialist and a radiologist through Medicare.

He also got access to rehabilitation care and pharmaceuticals.

The evidence of the fraudulent activities was damning, as text messages revealed his admittance of doing the fraud.


Despite multiple reports to the Australian Federal Police, Medicare, and Crime Stoppers Victoria, there was a lack of investigation and no legal repercussions.
Kellene Elder, a domestic and family violence consultant with SaferSteps, expressed dismay at the government's inaction.

'This failure to act on fraudulent activities not only undermines the integrity of Australia's immigration and healthcare systems but also allows the perpetrator to continue his abusive behaviour unchecked,' Ms Elder stated.

Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke wanted to correct the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's decision.

'I have met with my department to discuss the systems that allowed this error to be made. Given there has been no process before the courts in this case, I have asked my department to advise me of my options urgently,' Minister Burke said.

Meanwhile, Services Australia's General Manager, Hank Jongen, stated that all reports of suspected fraud are taken seriously and are being assessed by specialist officers.

However, the lack of tangible action following the reports showed a disconnect between policy and practice.


The Australian Federal Police (AFP) also released a statement regarding the series of events.

'The AFP advised the complainant that the allegation of Medicare fraud should be reported to Services Australia,' an AFP spokesperson said.

This incident raised questions about the effectiveness of Australia's safeguards against fraud and abuse and the protection offered to victims of domestic violence.

Natalie's plight and the lack of accountability in the man's case should serve as a call to action for all Australians.

It is a reminder to stay vigilant and always advocate for more robust measures to protect Aussies against fraud and abuse.
Key Takeaways

  • A foreign national committed Medicare fraud and abused his ex-wife, but Australian government agencies ignored multiple reports.
  • Despite evidence and admissions of the fraud, the man was not investigated and was granted permanent residency.
  • Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke has sought urgent advice following the matter.
  • Services Australia, which manages Medicare, claimed they take reports of suspected fraud seriously. However, the complainants and the man's ex-wife saw little action regarding the reported fraud.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and abuse, help is available.
The National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service has a 24-hour helpline online via the 1800 RESPECT website or phone at 1800 737 732. You may also contact Lifeline.

You may also reach out to the National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service via their hotline, 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578).

Men's mental health services are also available via Men's Referral Service or dial 1300 766 491.
 
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International students have to have private health cover or they are sent back home. The same should apply to all migrants.
Now that private health claims can be done on-line some people (some are Australians) Private Health is getting fraudulent claims too.
 
International students have to have private health cover or they are sent back home. The same should apply to all migrants.
Now that private health claims can be done on-line some people (some are Australians) Private Health is getting fraudulent claims too.
International students, in my opinion, are very heavily policed in everything they do, right down to the number of hours they can work. Yet mongrels like this can waltz through the system and benefit like him? There is something seriously wrong here.
 
I am absolutely disgusted that this loud mouthed, red necked Yankee Doodle dandy has the gall to come into MY country, fraudulently have his medical procedures done here, and abuse an Australian woman and treated her her with further violence… all seemingly with the approval of some danged fool individuals. Strip him of all things Australian and DEPORT HIM TO THOSE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FROM WHENCE HE COMES.
 
All prospective immigrants should be required to deposit funds with Australian authority to pay for health issues for the duration of their PR application journey (in the form of a bond).

Eligibility for reimbursement of the 'health issues bond' money should only begin after the person becomes eligible for Medicare cover.

In the above instance, I think one of the errors that occurred was the grant of PR when authorities received notice of revocation of sponsorship.

That was an error.

Who made that decision? It allowed for the health care the man got and additionally enabled him to continue the violence against his partner.

The botched PR Grant decision would be an action that should call for a 'Heads will roll' outcome.
 
This article is all over the place.

Is it about Medicare fraud or domestic violence?

And who said this guy was American? He could have been Canadian....

Ever think of that?
I did think Canadian when North American was mentioned, but surely they would say Canadian if he was. The whole situation is too familiar. There are stringent rules to live here, yet many have passed through them. How and why?
 
Having had, on many occasions during my career, dealt with various systems put together by Public Servants and Ministers and it is built into the system faults, failings, gaps, holes and no re-course or accountability as a standard practice. It is almost inevitable, that the system will be corrupted by any or all who use it. Just look at the millions extracted from the NDIS illegally and not recovered. There is minimal or no effort made by Public Servants or Ministers to prosecute offenders or get the money back. This due to the fact that they are lazy, don't want any 'arguments or bad press' and most of all, they are not held accountable for the losses of monies stolen from their inadequate checks and balances. This has been going on for years and I am sorry to say it will continue.. honest people are missing out, who should be looked after by these systems however, the crooks get in quickly, because the loop-holes are easy to find, and rip the money out to such a degree that there are insufficient funds left in the systems. I am not favouring any Political part here they are both to blame however, I have found that the Socialist view Labor Governments are the worst. They are and always will be a 'hand-out driven Party,' regardless of the future cost.
 
Having had, on many occasions during my career, dealt with various systems put together by Public Servants and Ministers and it is built into the system faults, failings, gaps, holes and no re-course or accountability as a standard practice. It is almost inevitable, that the system will be corrupted by any or all who use it. Just look at the millions extracted from the NDIS illegally and not recovered. There is minimal or no effort made by Public Servants or Ministers to prosecute offenders or get the money back. This due to the fact that they are lazy, don't want any 'arguments or bad press' and most of all, they are not held accountable for the losses of monies stolen from their inadequate checks and balances. This has been going on for years and I am sorry to say it will continue.. honest people are missing out, who should be looked after by these systems however, the crooks get in quickly, because the loop-holes are easy to find, and rip the money out to such a degree that there are insufficient funds left in the systems. I am not favouring any Political part here they are both to blame however, I have found that the Socialist view Labor Governments are the worst. They are and always will be a 'hand-out driven Party,' regardless of the future cost.
Well Said
 
Send him back and few other who not part of the commonwealth is Asia part of the commonwealth emmmm
let me think on that one. they seem to make it hard for people from the mother country to get in here so why some ham shank.
 

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