Woman, 27, charged over alleged $620k ‘cash for demerit’ scheme to help drivers avoid bans

A woman is alleged to have taken more than 1000 points on her licence in an elaborate “cash for demerits” scheme – allowing hundreds to avoid driving bans.

The 27-year-old from Woodridge, in Queensland, is accused of allowing hundreds of people to transfer their traffic infringement notices into her name in exchange for cash.

Queensland Police allege that over the course of four years, the woman had 1,266 notices put into her name – causing her to rack up an astonishing 1,150 demerit points.

They claim that the monetary value of the fines recorded against her name were worth $620,000 in total.

Police will allege that the woman advertised on social media offering to take on fines and demerit points for people in exchange for money.

It is alleged many took her up on this offer rather than facing justice for their motoring offences themselves.

The offending is alleged to have occurred between 2022 and June of this year.

She was arrested in Woodridge on Thursday and made her first appearance at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with one count of fraud.

“Many of those allegedly using these services should have had their licences suspended but were instead able to continue driving on our roads,” Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath said.

“The demerit point system is in place to make our roads safer and drivers accountable and this scheme can put other road users at risk.

“Police take this offending seriously and anybody involved can expect to be identified and prosecuted.

The woman was remanded into custody and is due to appear again at court on September 28.

Originally published as Woman, 27, charged over alleged $620k ‘cash for demerit’ scheme to help drivers avoid bans