A man will re-appear in court today charged over his role in an alleged roofing scam, targeting elderly residents in Sydney's inner west and eastern suburbs last year.
In December 2019, detectives from Leichhardt Police Area Command commenced an investigation into an alleged roofing scam in Sydney's inner west.
On Wednesday 18 December 2019, police will allege a group of men posing as tradesmen attended a home in Annandale and told the occupant, a 75-year-old woman, that they needed $3000 to repair her home.
The males then allegedly demanded the woman pay $62,000 to finish the work; however, she refused and contacted local police.
It will also be alleged that the group of men scammed a 91-year-old man out of $150,000 over work they said they would perform on his Double Bay home on Friday 20 December 2019.
Two men – aged 29 and 32 – were arrested at the Double Bay house on Friday 20 December 2019.
The two men were both charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, demand property with menaces with intent to steal, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Both men were refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 21 December 2019, where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 19 March 2020.
Shortly after, police executed a search warrant at a hotel in Bondi Junction, where they located $40,000 in cash.
It was seized to undergo forensic examination.
A 27-year-old woman was arrested at the hotel and taken to Waverley Police Station, where she was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
She was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 21 December 2019, where she was formally granted bail and is due to next appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 3 March 2020.
Following further inquiries, a 31-year-old man was arrested by Western Australia Police at an airport in Western Australia on Wednesday 22 January 2020.
Investigators travelled to Perth Magistrates Court where they applied for and were granted his extradition to NSW.
He was escorted to Sydney via plane on Friday 24 January 2020 and was taken to Mascot Police Station.
The man was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 25 January 2020, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Central Local Court today (Friday 31 January 2020).
Investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information about fraudulent behaviour is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
