Albany Detectives have further charged a 23-year-old woman as part of the ongoing Operation SEAKIST investigation into stealing and attempted fraud offences involving older members of the local Albany community.
It will be alleged three further victims have been identified.
Incident One: It will be alleged between August 2020 and February 2021 the accused, using a false name, gained the trust of an 84-year-old man and convinced him to provide her with cash. Through 66 transactions the victim provided the accused with $50,080. It will be further alleged the accused received the cash under a false pretence of offering to repay the funds.
Incident Two: It will be alleged between April 2021 and May 2021 the accused, using a false name, gained the trust of a 68-year-old man and convinced him to provide her with cash. Through 28 transactions the victim provided the accused with $31,902.20. It will be further alleged the accused received the cash under a false pretence of offering to repay the funds. The matter was brought to the attention of Police after staff at the victim's bank became suspicious of the transactions.
Incident Three: It will be alleged that on Thursday 27 May 2021 the accused approached an 86-year-old man on Serpentine Road, Albany. The victim was in his vehicle when the accused opened the passenger door an sat in the vehicle. It will be further alleged the accused asked the man to provide her with more than $10,000. The victim declined to provide that amount of cash, and instead gave her a cheque for $5,500 written out 'for cash'. Upon attending her bank to deposit the cheque a staff member became suspicious and refused to cash the cheque. The cheque was seized and the matter was reported to Police. It will be further alleged the woman returned to the victim and obtained another cheque, for $2,500, however the cheque was destroyed in the presence of police who intercepted her at a shopping centre before she could attempt to cash it in.
The 23-year-old Spencer Park woman has been charged with two counts of 'Stealing' and one count of 'Attempt to Gain Benefit by Fraud'. She is due to appear in the Albany Magistrates Court today, Thursday 15 July 2021.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
Police encourage family, friends and carers of elderly persons in the Albany community to check their welfare and to report any financial irregularities.
Anyone in the Albany and surrounding areas who believe they or a member of their family may be a victim in similar circumstances should contact police on 131 444 or report the matter in person at Albany Police Station.
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