A man and a woman have been charged with fraud offences in the state’s Hunter Valley.
In August 2025, detectives attached to Hunter Valley Police District’s Rural Crime Prevention Team commenced inquiries under Strike Force Overton, following reports of alleged fraudulent transactions, including the fraudulent sale of hay, made by employees of a local pastoral company, with the alleged value exceeding $300,000.
Following extensive inquiries by detectives, on Monday 4 May 2026, a 47-year-old man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with 21 offences – dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception (19 counts) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (two counts).
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
On Tuesday 5 May 2026, a 48-year-old woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice for five counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.
She is expected to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Tueday 16 June 2026.
Police will allege in Court that over an approximate three 3-year period, the couple had gained/caused a financial loss of more than $326,000 to the pastoral company through fraudulent hay sales, use of farm machinery on external unauthorised properties, scrap metal sales, diesel fuel theft, and mechanical and tyre repairs and maintenance on vehicles not belonging to the pastoral company.
Investigations under Strike Force Overton continue.