For the purpose of the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines, fraud against the Commonwealth is defined as:
Dishonestly obtaining a benefit by deception or other means.
This definition includes:
theft;
obtaining property, a financial advantage or any other benefit by deception;
causing a loss, or avoiding or creating a liability by deception;
providing false or misleading information to the Commonwealth, or failing to provide information where there is an obligation to do so;
making, using or possessing forged or falsified documents;
bribery, corruption or a buse of office;
unlawful use of Commonwealth computers, vehicles, telephones and other property or services;
relevant bankruptcy offences; and
any offences of a like nature to those listed above.
The benefits referred to can be either tangible or intangible. Examples include:
hacking into, or interfering with a Commonwealth computer system;
using a false identity to obtain income support payments;
using Commonwealth systems to gain access to other systems without authority;
charging the Commonwealth for goods or services that are incomplete or not delivered;
hiding or disposing of assets by bankrupts to avoid paying creditors; and
making false statements under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
Australia (reporting)
Insurance Fraud Bureau Australia - an independent working taskforce of the Insurance Council of Australia - Report fraud here online or call fraud hotline: 1800 600 444