Lankan-born woman jailed in Australia for fraud

A Lankan-born Sydney accountant who stole $45 million to spend on items including jewellery and Michael Jackson memorabilia has been jailed for up to 15 years.

Rajina Subramaniam was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Sydney Airport in 2009 as she boarded a flight to Sri Lanka to attend a wedding.

The 42-year-old was then charged with defrauding the multinational financial group ING, where she worked as a senior account manager.She siphoned the money from her employer into her own personal accounts.The Castle Hill woman faced sentencing in the New South Wales District Court.

Judge Michael Finnane told the court the amount of money taken was "staggering".Subramaniam's haul included several luxury properties in Sydney suburbs such as Bondi Beach and Kirribilli.

She also bought $16 million worth of jewellery, plus handbags, make-up and clothing from designers including Armani, Chanel and Hugo Boss.

Subramaniam pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges.Justice Finnane told the court he accepted her crimes were "not motivated by greed", but by the "desire to be noticed".He sentenced her to 15 years in prison with a non-parole period of seven.

With time already served she will be eligible for release in 2016.

- Australia Network