Accused in $5M NDIS fraud case was set to fly to Nigeria, court told

A man facing charges over an alleged $5

A man facing charges over an alleged $5 million scheme to defraud the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) had severed his connections in Adelaide and was ready to board a one-way flight to Nigeria when police apprehended him on Friday, a court has heard.

The 43-year-old appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on Monday, where prosecutors argued he posed a significant flight risk. Detective Sergeant Mark Baker told the court that the accused had sold his car, terminated his lease, and transferred funds overseas in the days preceding his arrest, indicating a clear intention to leave Australia permanently.

The court was told that investigators had been monitoring the man's activities for several months, building a case that he allegedly orchestrated fraudulent claims using fake identities and forged documents to siphon millions from the NDIS. The scheme reportedly involved dozens of bogus service providers billing the scheme for supports that were never delivered.

Defence counsel did not contest the bail opposition

Defence counsel did not contest the bail opposition but requested time to prepare a formal application. Magistrate Simon Smart adjourned the matter until later this month, with the accused remaining in custody. A co-accused woman, also arrested in connection with the alleged fraud, faced separate proceedings and was granted bail under strict conditions.

The NDIS, which provides funding for Australians with permanent and significant disabilities, has been the target of multiple fraud investigations in recent years, prompting the federal government to establish a dedicated anti-fraud taskforce. The latest case adds to growing concerns about systemic vulnerabilities within the scheme, which has an annual budget exceeding $35 billion.