Police allege the man was involved in a false billing scam, sending out unsolicited office supply invoices totalling A$11.1 million between 2011 and 2019. The woman approved payment for office supplies in exchange for gift vouchers or electronic devices.

 

The office supplies were allegedly sold at "significantly inflated costs", WA Police told www.miningnews.net, and were never received.

 

The man has been charged with fraud, offering a secret commission to an agent, and dealing with the proceeds of crime. He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court this week. The woman has been charged with one count of fraud, and will appear in the court on August 7.

 

The scam is common, and while there are several variations, Victoria Police said scammers usually targeted smaller businesses without clear procedures for ordering supplies.

 

Ausdrill told the markets in April it had sacked an employee who had allegedly authorised and concealed payments to an "unrelated invalid supplier" over eight years. The issue was identified after a review of compliance with the company's policies and procedures undertaken around the time of its merger with Barminco.

 

It is understood Ausdrill called in EY as an external forensic investigator, and aided the police investigation. 

 

Ausdrill shares (ASX: ASL) were trading at A$1.91 today, valuing the company at $1.3 billion.