He said often fraud was an opportunistic attack on vulnerable community members and police would not tolerate scammers targeting any members of the community.
The warning comes after Auburn Police charged a 46-year-old man last week with two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception and two counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime (greater than $5,000) over the alleged fraud of two women of almost $20,000.
“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,” Det Insp Evans said.
Some advice includes: Don’t let scammers pressure you – they 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; and never provide your personal or banking details to a person who calls you.
Seize pistol and drugs worth over $520,000
A MAN has been charged after a replica firearm and more than half a million dollars’ worth of drugs were allegedly seized in Lidcombe last month.
An investigation into drug supply led to a 51-year-old man being charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
The investigation led them to an address on Dehli Street, Lidcombe, on Friday, February 18, where they allegedly seized prohibited drugs including 380.4 grams of methamphetamine; 183.4 grams of cocaine; 170.6 grams of heroin; 519.7 grams of cannabis; steroids; $7,000 in cash; identity documents; and a replica pistol.
The potential estimated street value of the drugs is more than $520,000. The items will undergo forensic examination.