A 27-year-old childcare director has been arrested after she allegedly falsely claimed more than $ 3 million worth of child care subsidies meant to fund care for children who are abused , neglected or disadvantaged . The woman , Melissa Higgins , is the director of the family day care centre Aussie Giggles in the Albury Wodonga area , on the New South Wales-Victoria border , the ABC reported . Australian Federal Police officers seized $ 2.1 million in cash , a $ 90,000 car and a number of other items after searching a number of properties in the Albury-Wodonga area connected to Ms Higgins . A 27-year-old childcare director has been arrested after she allegedly falsely claimed more than $ 3 million worth of child care subsidies . Image posed by models . The 27-year-old was arrested on Monday and charged with three counts of Obtaining a Financial Benefit By Deception . Police will allege Ms Higgins started fraudulently claiming Special Child Care Subsidies ( SCCB ) , worth more than $ 3 million , in December 2013 . SCCB is a payment that subsidises up to the full cost of child care for a child who is at risk of serious abuse or neglect , or where the child 's family is experiencing temporary financial hardship . Ms Higgins ' Aussie Giggles is a family day care provider , meaning she cares for children in her own home . Her arrest is a result of a joint AFP , Department of Human Services ( DHS ) and Department of Social Services ( DSS ) investigation after the agencies discovered irregularities in payments . Ms Higgins will appear in Albury Local Court in May . Australian Federal Police officers seized $ 2.1 million in cash , a $ 90,000 car and a number of other items after searching a number of properties in the Albury-Wodonga area . Image posed by models . AFP Fraud and Anti-Corruption Centre manager Linda Champion said : 'Investigations like this send a clear message to anyone who is thinking of engaging in this type of [ alleged ] criminal activity – collectively we have proven our ability to investigate and take action , as we have done today . ' General Manager DHS , Hank Jongen said fraud would not be tolerated . 'If there are people out there who think they can get away with fraud , they need to think again , ' Mr Jongen said . 'It is only a matter of time before we catch up with them , and when we do , we will make sure they are dealt with in the courts . ' A DSS spokesperson said child care services that did the wrong thing were on notice . 'DSS takes non-compliance very seriously and , as demonstrated in this case today , will use all means available to us to enforce the law where the evidence warrants it . ' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Childcare director allegedly falsely claimed more than $ 3m in subsidies . Aussie Giggles owns day care centre Melissa Higgins in Albury Wodonga . AFP officers seized $ 2.1 million in cash , a $ 90,000 car and other items .