SYDNEY, Australia - A pharmacist has been charged after allegedly defrauding the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) of more than $10 million, leading authorities to seize over $20 million in assets, including a luxury mansion, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, a McLaren, and seven BMWs

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched an investigation in February 2023 following a tip-off from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

The 58-year-old man,  Ben Huynh  of Dural in northern Sydney (picrured left) is accused of making false PBS claims between 2014 and 2023.

As part of the probe, police raided  Huynh's home in the Sydney suburb of Dural and a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, also in suburban Sydney. He has since been charged with two counts of dealing in proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more and two counts of dishonesty causing a loss to the Commonwealth. If convicted, Huynh faces up to 25 years in prison for the most serious offences.

The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) later identified multiple high-value assets believed to be purchased with illicit funds. On 22 May 2025, the NSW Supreme Court approved the freezing of the man's assets.

Among the seized items are:

• A luxury mansion in Dural

• A commercial property in East Cabramatta

• 12 high-end vehicles, including two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, a McLaren, and seven BMWs

• Multiple bank accounts

AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy said the crackdown sends a clear message that crime does not pay.

"By stripping offenders of their ill-gotten wealth, we remove the very incentive that drives such crimes," Commander Kennedy said Saturday. "Many criminals fear losing their assets as much as—if not more than—a prison sentence."

The restrained assets will be managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). If the case succeeds, they will be sold, with proceeds going into a fund that supports law enforcement, crime prevention, and drug rehabilitation programs.

The accused pharmacist remains on bail and is due to face court again on 6 June 2025.