Harrison Lincoln’s Suspicions Uncover a $275,000 Childcare Scam
In April, Harrison Lincoln was told not to bring his three-year-old son to childcare due to a gas leak. Already suspicious because his son had been coming home hungry and unsettled, he decided to visit the facility himself. His visit led to the unraveling of a major fraud involving multiple victims, including parents, investors, and even the childcare center’s landlord.
At the center of the scam was Anna Marie Gewargis, who had been running a childcare business in Smithfield, Western Sydney. After gaining the trust of parents and investors like Ninef Shamouel, Gewargis convinced them to invest large sums, promising high returns and naming childcare centers after their children.
Shamouel, after investing $255,100 into the business between September and January, stopped receiving the promised returns. Gewargis continuously gave excuses for missed payments and became evasive. Parents who prepaid for months of childcare were also left in the dark, with some reporting injuries to their children and improper care.
It was later revealed that the childcare center was operating illegally, never registered with the NSW Department of Education. By April, Gewargis had been evicted from her properties, and the center was permanently shut down.
As investigations continue, parents and investors, including Shamouel, are working with the police to hold Gewargis accountable for the massive fraud. Meanwhile, Gewargis is also facing charges unrelated to the scam, involving assaults and misconduct with children under her care.
