A 39-year-old employee of the NT Department of Children and Families has been arrested and charged for allegedly using her position in the government to defraud the National Disability Insurance Scheme of millions of dollars, the Australian Federal Police said.

The woman, identified as Genevine Ifunanya Ebelebe, was arrested on Tuesday following search warrants being executed on her Lee Point home, a Durack business and a Yarrawonga business in February. Multiple documents and electronic devices were seized at the time for forensic examination which tied Ms Ebelebe to the alleged fraud, police said.

Investigators with the Federal Government’s Fraud Fusion Taskforce allege Ms Ebelebe conspired with 47-year-old Darwin man Kingsley Ebelebe, who was arrested in February, to use her public servant position “to refer vulnerable members of the community to an NDIS business she co-owned with the man”.

Mr Ebelebe, who worked for the NDIA, was charged on February 18 with corruption and abuse of public office offences and is currently on bail.

FFT investigators allege the couple claimed more than $28 million of National Disability Insurance Agency money through their NDIS business since 2019, with roughly $18 million identified as suspicious.

Ms Ebelebe was charged with five offences in total, including two federal charges of dishonestly obtaining NDIS information to gain a financial benefit and dishonestly obtaining a gain from the NDIA. The criminal offences under the NT Criminal Code, included one count of dishonestly obtaining a financial benefit; one count of corruption to influence performance of her functions as an NT officer; and one count of obtaining a benefit by deception.

AFP Detective Inspector Aidan Milner said the Fraud Fusion Taskforce – which is made up of 25 member agencies including the AFP, NDIA, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – started its investigation in October 2025.

“The Fraud Fusion Taskforce is relentless in its pursuit of anyone who seeks to exploit vulnerable Australians and steal public funds for their own personal greed,” Det Insp Milner said.

“Those who attempt to flout the law will be identified, investigated and brought before the courts.”

NT Department of Children and Families chief executive Brent Warren said the department cooperated fully with the FFT investigation, “providing information and internal records”.

“As soon as we were aware of the allegations, we acted immediately. The former staff member has since resigned from the department,” he said in the AFP statement.

“We have reviewed relevant referrals and decisions to ensure appropriate processes were followed and children and families received the support they needed. We have acted on the findings and strengthened our systems and practices for managing conflicts of interest and overseeing and approving supports for children in care with disability.”

The AFP said anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717, with an interpreter service available at 13 14 50, email fraudreporting@ndis.gov.au, or fill out the online NDIS Fraud reporting form.