Iranian 'fake doctor' accused of $1.7m health service fraud over two decades

Alemi, born in Iran, claimed that she earned her medical qualifications from the University of Auckland in 1992. However, she is said to have never completed a six-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) course or passed any relevant exams.

In essence, the charge against the defendant is that she practiced as a doctor of medicine for about 20 years while, in reality, she never passed or gained the appropriate university degrees and is not a suitably qualified doctor - Prosecutor Christopher Stables stated.

The charges cover the period from September 1995 to June 2017. During this period, it is claimed she dishonestly accumulated an amount equivalent to between 1.1 and 1.7 million dollars.

The prosecutor emphasized that while she is an incredibly talented scammer, she does not have the qualifications to be considered a doctor.

The reasons behind Alemi's alleged impersonation of a doctor are unknown - whether she desired the social status or was intrigued by the profession. Irrespective, her earnings have been called into question as they appear to be the result of fraudulent activities.

Alemi was expected to join the General Medical Council before 2003, but as an applicant, she needed an MBChB degree. Her application was littered with spelling and grammatical errors, and the recommendation letter was not from her department's secretary. The signatory could not be verified, and by the time investigations started, Alemi no longer held this position.

According to the prosecution, all the documents Alemi submitted to the GMC were fabrications. This allegation was supposedly confirmed when investigators discovered blank diplomas and stationery used for the recommendation letter in her Ireland residence in 2019.

Alemi faces 13 charges of fraud, three charges of obtaining financial benefit through fraud, two charges of falsifying documents and two charges of using fake documents. She denies all accusations.