***PLEASE NOTE: Vision from the search warrant will be available later today via hightail link.
Police have charged a man following an investigation into the alleged fraud of two women of almost $20,000.
Detectives from Bankstown Police Area Command commenced an investigation in October 2021 following reports an 80-year-old Revesby woman was defrauded.
In February 2022, a 74-year-old Strathfield woman also reported being defrauded.
It will be alleged in court that a man posed as an employee of a financial institution and called the women, telling them their accounts had been hacked. He then allegedly attended their homes before taking cash from them.
Following inquiries, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command – with assistance from Bankstown Detectives – executed a search warrant at a home in Greenacre about 7am yesterday (Thursday 10 March 2020).
A 46-year-old man was arrested at the location, with police seizing items of clothing.
The man was taken to Auburn Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception and two counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime (greater than $5,000).
The man was refused bail to appear in Burwood Local Court today (Friday 11 March 2022).
Auburn Police Area Command’s Detective Inspector Andrew Evans said the alleged fraud was an opportunistic attack on vulnerable community members.
“Online and phone scams are becoming more frequent, and police will not tolerate scammers targeting any members of the community,” said Detective Inspector Evans.
“In this instance, after some good police work, we were able to identify the man involved and ensure he will be put in front of a court.
“This was a cowardly act, and we are warning the community never to give out your personal details over the phone unless you can verify you are speaking to a trusted source.”
Members of the public are urged to take the following precautions when dealing with persons online or on the phone:
- If you have doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don’t rely on contact details provided by the person – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
- Remember that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or have listed your number on the Australian Government’s Do Not Call Register (link is external). Scammers can obtain your number fraudulently or from anywhere it has been publicly listed such as in a phone book.
- Never provide your personal or banking details to a person who calls you – remember that legitimate businesses don’t just call customers and ask for confidential information.
- Don’t let scammers pressure you – scammers use detailed scripts to convince you that they’re the real deal and create a high-pressure situation to make a decision on the spot
- Don’t allow people to remotely access your computer. If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
- If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately
- Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source.
Police strongly encourage the community to report any potential scams to their local police station, or to the ACCC via SCAMWATCH report a scam page www.scamwatch.gov.au or by calling 1300 795 995.
Anyone with information about suspected fraudulent activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
