NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians

Review recommends better use of NDIS data to identify repeat rorters and a requirement for providers to register with the government Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Organised crime gangs are using the national disability insurance scheme to launder money, earn income and hide assets, law enforcement officials have warned parliament, seriously undermining probity in the $50bn program. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has told a review into NDIS integrity that criminals are paying cash kickbacks to participants and their families, and sometimes resorting to intimidation and threats of physical violence towards vulnerable people to rip off taxpayers. As the government looks to stem unsustainable growth in the scheme in next month’s federal budget, ACIC officials told MPs that allied health professionals and “other trusted intermediaries” had allowed gangs to infiltrate the NDIS, including by preparing false or exaggerated documents to increase payments. They warned the scale of organised crime cashing in was difficult to properly quantify but that the fraud is “significant and, in