A brazen offender allegedly ripping off elderly people across Hamilton and Auckland communities will face court.
Police executed a search warrant at a Rānui property today, investigating fraud and burglary offending between December 2025 and January 2026.
A 37-year-old woman has been arrested and now faces court, as enquiries continue.
Detective Sergeant Mike Mead, from the Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, says thousands of dollars had allegedly been stolen from the victim's accounts.
"We will allege in court that this woman's offending deliberately targeted elderly woman living alone in their homes," he says.
"In several instances the woman allegedly entered these homes under false pretences, taking advantage of vulnerable victims where bank cards have been taken and used to withdraw cash."
Police will allege more than $5,000 was fraudulently obtained from these victims, two in Hamilton and one in Auckland.
All up the woman faces four burglary charges, three charges of using a bank card for a pecuniary advantage and shoplifting.
Detective Sergeant Mead says Police will oppose the 37-year-old's bail when she appears in the Waitākere District Court tomorrow.
"This is nothing short of despicable, targeting victims all aged in their 80s," he says.
"Our investigators have worked meticulously in piecing together this spate of offending, including CCTV footage and banking records."
Police enquiries are ongoing, and further charges cannot be ruled out at this stage.
"I know the community will share a dim view of what has happened to these women, taking advantage of their trusting nature.
"This offending has left them fearful and caused a significant amount of distress.
"Police have moved quickly to make an arrest to prevent any further harm to the community."
