Monday, June 22, 2026

Christchurch woman sentenced to Home Detention after elaborate $30K welfare fraud using stolen ID

Baumann fraud news

Diane Marie Baumann, a Christchurch mother of five also known as Diane Cox, was sentenced to six months’ home detention after using a stolen driver’s licence to create a fake carer and defraud government agencies of nearly $30,000.

Between 2020 and 2021, Baumann collected both ACC benefits and payments from Custom Care Nursing under false pretenses while also racking up over $3,600 in unpaid debts using the victim’s identity.

Her scheme unravelled when the real licence holder received tax notices and found her credit ruined.

Baumann later attempted to claim a benefit for a teen not in her care, and has prior convictions for theft and deception.

A judge cited her drug use and personal struggles in opting for rehabilitation over imprisonment.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. 6 months holiday, surfing the net, watching Netflix, chatting on the phone, visitors, family all around dropping in goodies. Such a harsh sentence. How will she cope.

    • She nasty lady. That. Can’t even look poor dog.not. Even hers. She need no .text. Some one. The person. Leave him alone. He. Even said. Diane Marie. He don’t nothing do with u

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