NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians

The most at-risk targets include NDIS participants from non-English speaking backgrounds, those without wide support networks and people with physical or cognitive impairments. Photograph: Jordi Mora igual/Getty Images

Organised crime gangs are using the national disability insurance scheme to launder money, earn income and hide assets, law enforcement officials have warned parliament, seriously undermining probity in the $50bn program.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has told a review into NDIS integrity that criminals are paying cash kickbacks to participants and their families, and sometimes resorting to intimidation and threats of physical violence towards vulnerable people to rip off taxpayers.