Police have initiated Strike Force Atrichorni and released CCTV images to investigate two similar armed robberies of Chinese National students that occurred earlier this year in Wolli Creek.
The first incident occurred about 6:10pm on Monday 15April 2019, when two men, aged 20 and 19 from Mascot, were stopped in a vehicle on Lusty Street, Wolli Creek, where they had arranged to conduct a money exchange with two men.
The two men entered the rear of the vehicle and threatened the 20 and 19-year-old with knives before exiting the vehicle with cash.
The two armed men were last seen running west on foot towards a park at the end of Lusty Street.
They are described as being of Asian appearance, aged in their early 20s and around 175cm tall.
One of the males is further described as being of a skinny build, with his hair dyed light brown.
The second incident took place about 8.30pm on Thursday 16 May 2019, when a 31-year-old Wentworth Point man and an 18-year-old Wolli Creek woman were stopped in a vehicle on Lusty Creek, Wolli Creek, where they had arranged to conduct a money exchange.
Two men entered the rear of the vehicle and threatened the 31 and 18-year-old with a knife before exiting the vehicle with cash.
Three men are also believed to have been hiding behind vehicles nearby as lookouts during the incident.
The group were last seen on foot running towards Bonar Street before all of the men entered a dark grey-coloured sedan.
The 31-year-old male driver sustained a small laceration to his chin. The 18-year-old female passenger was not injured.
Officers from St George Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police have released CCTV images of men who may be able to assist with inquiries. Police have also released images of the vehicle which they believe the males entered.
The men are described as being of Asian appearance, aged in their early 20's.
The first man is described as being of a large build, about 175cm tall, clean shaven, with short black hair, and is believed to speak Mandarin. At the time he was wearing a black t-shirt.
The second man is described as being of a thin build, about 175cm tall with short dark hair, and is believed to speak Mandarin. At the time he was wearing a black t-shirt, and dark coloured long pants.
The third man is described as being about 175cm tall, wearing a black jacket, a black t-shirt with an image printed on it, black shorts and white sneakers.
The fourth man is described as being of a skinny build, about 180cm tall with black hair, wearing black jeans, a black jacket and black and white shoes.
The fifth man is described as being of skinny build, about 180cm tall, wearing a grey tracksuit, white t-shirt, and a black jacket with white stripes on the arms.
The vehicle is described as being a grey four-door sedan, similar to a VW Passat.
As inquiries continue, detectives attached to Strike Force Atrichorni would like to speak to anyone with information about the incidents to come forward.
Members of the public are urged only to exchange currencies at businesses licensed to do so, and not arrange exchanges via social media applications.
To find out more information about scams or to find out other ways to protect yourself, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
