Sydney Principal Arrested After Allegedly Targeting NSW Dept of Education in $1.4 Million Fraud Scheme
Image: Image Supplied: NSW Police Force
A Sydney school principal is facing accusations of orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme with his brother-in-law, allegedly attempting to defraud the NSW Department of Education of up to $1.4 million.
Sir Joseph Banks High School Principal Rabieh Gharibeh and contractor Ahmed Charchouh, aged 37 and 38, were arrested on Wednesday morning during early-morning raids across Western Sydney.
Gharibeh, currently principal at Sir Joseph Banks High School and formerly principal at Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School, is accused of submitting fraudulent claims for maintenance and building works at schools in Guildford and Revesby.
He and Charchouh allegedly submitted 86 invoices between August 2022 and November 2024.
Strike Force Heidi targets principal and school funding fraud scheme
Strike Force Heidi was established in April 2024 by the State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad, in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education, to investigate allegations of mismanaged funds intended for school maintenance and building works in Guildford and Revesby.
The investigation revealed that the school employee received assistance from a building company director, who helped facilitate the fraudulent claims.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, supported by the Raptor Squad, executed three search warrants across Georges Hall, Yagoona, and Revesby from 4am on Wednesday.
Police seized electronics, $42,400 cash, a ballistics vest, and luxury watches.
Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja stated that the pair are accused of defrauding the Department of over $1 million between August 2022 and November 2024.
“The senior employee had financial delegation up to $150,000, so police will allege that he abused that financial delegation and that position of financial trust,” he said.
“They would raise purchase orders before works were even done, and backdated invoices were sometimes paid prior to the works.”
“Some invoices were submitted, and no works were ever done. If works were ever done, they were at a highly inflated price,” he added.
Det Supt Arbinja also said the pair also split invoices to stay under the $150,000 threshold.
Police are working to recover the lost funds from the 86 fraudulent invoices involved in the scheme.
NSW Department of Education reinforces zero tolerance for fraudulent activity
“The Department of Education upholds high professional and ethical standards and takes any allegation of criminal activity extremely seriously,” a spokesperson said.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.”
The men were taken to Bankstown Police Station, where they are being charged with over 60 offences over the fraud scheme. These charges include dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage, attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage, agent corruptly receiving a benefit, and directing or participating in a criminal group.
Both men appeared in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday, where they were refused bail.
