Dozens of people have been arrested and charged by police for
participating in a criminal group, many of whom are parents
with young children with no prior criminal record.
Almost 40 people have been arrested in the Western and South
Western suburbs of Sydney in recent months, in relation to an
alleged day-care fraud ring which defrauded the government of $4
million.
Police have described the operation as "more disciplined
than an outlaw motorcycle gang", alleging it was set up in
2014 with the intention of defrauding the Federal Government's
child care subsidy.
Lubna Al-Hashimy was arrested earlier this week. She is the wife
of Alee Farmann, the alleged mastermind behind the operation who
was one of 17 people charged in May over their roles in the alleged
fraudulent family day care business.
