Aussie is paid $3.5MILLION direct to his bank account by the government – here’s how his life unraveled after he was seen withdrawing money from ATMs

An Aussie father who was wrongly paid $3.5million by a government agency has been exposed as an alleged scammer, after an eight-month investigation uncovered several crucial mistakes.

Saif Nafel, 38, from Lurnea in south-west Sydney, emailed an NT government agency last November, allegedly purporting to be a contractor from a construction company it was engaging with for an Aboriginal housing project. 

The construction company was NT-based Bukmak Constructions, which bills the government $3m a month over five years to build 87 homes. 

Nafel allegedly provided a completed vendor identification form with updated bank details. Multiple employees who appeared to work at the construction company were CC’d in on the email.

Nafel then allegedly registered the business, Bukmak Construction Group, to closely resemble the legitimate contractor, and opened a bank account to receive the fraudulently obtained funds.

The government agency then paid $3,583,363 to Nafel’s alleged bank account, believing it was linked to the legitimate construction company.

An AFP investigation was launched days later, when banking giant ANZ noticed a number of suspicious transfers.

The phone number linked to the vendor identification form eventually led investigators to the alleged fraudster almost 4,000km away in Sydney. 

Sydney father Saif Nafel (captured on CCTV in black) is accused of swindling $3.5million out of a Northern Territory government agency

Nafel allegedly purported to be from NT-based Bukmak Constructions. Pictured is one of their housing projects

Nafel was allegedly captured multiple times on CCTV lining up at an ATM to withdraw cash from his bank account.

The alleged scheme finally came to a dramatic end when police raided Nafel’s home last Wednesday.

Electronic devices and documents relating to the registration of the fake company were seized during the search warrant.

Nafel was charged with one count of dealing with proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more. 

He appeared in Liverpool Local Court last Thursday, where he was granted bail to reappear in court in September.

Nafel faces up to 12 years behind bars if convicted.

Fortunately for the government agency, all but $11,603 of the allegedly stolen funds have been recovered, thanks to ANZ’s efforts.

Saif Nafel (pictured queuing at an ATM) was granted bail to reappear in court in September

Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson has reminded all Aussies to be aware of cybercrime scammers

Business email compromise and fraud were among the most common self-reported cybercrimes for Australian businesses and individuals in 2023-24, according to the AFP.

‘It is crucial to double check emails, particularly if there is a request for a change in banking details,’ Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson said.

‘Call the party you are engaged with to confirm the request is legitimate – and use a phone number that you’ve previously used or independently verified – don’t call a number in the suspicious email.

‘If you have fallen victim, report it immediately to your bank and the police to give us the best chance of recovering your money.’

Bukmak Constructions (project pictured) bills the NT government $3m a month over five years to build dozens of homes for Aboriginal communities

ANZ’s Milan Gigovic added: ‘In response to this growing threat, ANZ’s Financial Crime team is proactively collaborating with industry, government, and law enforcement agencies — including the Australian Federal Police’s JPC3 team — to detect and stop these scams before they cause harm.’

‘Together, we are strengthening our defences, preventing fraudulent payments and protecting Australian businesses.’

Nafel will appear in Campbelltown Local Court on September 17.