Three people accused of allegedly defrauding Medicare of $8 million while held in Melbourne’s Broadmeadows Immigration Detention Centre are now living freely in the community.

Liberal senator James Paterson questioned why individuals facing allegations of large-scale fraud were no longer in detention. He told Herald Sun,

“So they are out of immigration detention after allegedly committing an $8 million Medicare fraud?”

As per report, the trio – New Zealand national Manuele Ene, Indian national Navpreet Singh, and another man (not named) – were arrested in September 2025 for allegedly persuading Australians to hand over personal information and log-in details, which were then used to claim Medicare benefits on their behalf.

It is further reported that despite the serious charges, Services Australia revealed during Senate Estimates last week that the men have been granted visas and released on bail, prompting concern from some lawmakers over public safety.

Services Australia officials confirmed that the men remain subject to bail conditions but are free to live in the community.

Ene, the brother of convicted Comanchero gang member Richard Ene, faces proceeds of crime charges, while Singh is charged with dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth officer.

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