A conman swindled more than $100,000 from Medibank and splashed the ill-gotten cash on designer clothes, clubs and cocaine.
Dwayne Antojado was sentenced to 609 days in Victoria’s County Court after he pleaded guilty to obtain property by deception.
The 26-year-old had already served his time behind bars, with Judge Kellie Blair saying the man’s turnaround was “exceptional”.
His sentence was deferred last year so he could show he was rehabilitated, the court was told.
“You have demonstrated a commitment and ability to make a difference to other individuals who are and have been incarcerated and who are struggling with a myriad of issues that prevent them achieving sustained and positive change,” Judge Blair said.
Antojado used more than 100 fake identities to open accounts with Medibank between October 2018 and December 2019.
Using the fake identities, he paid the minimum amount on premiums and lodged false claims by exploiting an online claim system that did not require receipts.
The scam netted him $120,901.
The cash was spent on cocaine, MDMA, flashy clothes and at Melbourne’s club scene.
But his scheme came undone when he was arrested on separate matters in 2019 and police uncovered screenshots showing various policy names.
They investigated and found he was using a loophole to scam money from Medibank.
The court was told the South Australian man was also jailed in that state for the exact same scam against the same company.
“Your prior offending occurred in the context of you seeking acceptance from the gay community in Adelaide and adopting a lifestyle you could not afford,” Judge Blair said.
She added his motivation for the latest crimes was similar.
Antojado was employed, enrolled in university and regularly appeared on panels to discuss his experience in custody and co-authored an academic article due to be published, the court was told.
“You have demonstrated ongoing rehabilitative achievements and you now are free to continue your life as a law-abiding citizen who has a significant contribution to make to this community,” Judge Blair said.
He was also ordered to pay back the money he rorted.
