Melbourne Police Hunt Trio in $10,000 Elderly Scam
Victoria Police have taken a bold step in their investigation. They released detailed photographs and descriptions of three suspects. These men stand accused of a heartless crime. They allegedly scammed a 91-year-old woman out of more than $10,000. This disturbing incident occurred in Melbourne's eastern suburbs last year.
A Deceptive Phone Call
The ordeal for the elderly victim began on March 3, 2025. One of the men contacted her by phone. He posed as a representative from her bank. Using this false identity, he cleverly gained remote access to her bank account. The scammer then transferred $4,947 directly from her funds.
He attempted to make additional transfers. Fortunately, the bank's security systems blocked these further transactions. Undeterred, the criminal concocted another story. He told the woman her bank cards were faulty. He then arranged to collect them personally from her home address. The trusting woman, suspecting nothing, handed over her cards.
A Spree of Fraudulent Transactions
Armed with the woman's bank cards, the three men launched a spending spree. All three transactions happened on the same day. Police have meticulously traced their movements.
- First, they withdrew $1,000 from an ATM. This occurred on Main Street in Box Hill around 6:40 PM.
- Next, they made a purchase worth $4,333. This transaction took place at a retailer on Middleborough Road in Box Hill South at approximately 7:25 PM.
- Finally, they bought items valued at $369.97 from a chemist. This last stop was on Doncaster Road in Doncaster near 7:45 PM.
Surveillance cameras captured clear images of the suspects during these acts. Victoria Police have now published this footage. They are urgently seeking public assistance to identify and locate these individuals.
Suspect Descriptions Released
Police provided distinct physical descriptions for each man. Authorities believe all three are of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance.
- The first suspect is approximately 35 years old. He has a solid build and olive skin. His hair and beard are dark in colour.
- The second suspect is around 25 years old. He possesses a slim build and olive skin. He has medium-length wavy hair and a dark-coloured beard.
- The third suspect is also about 25 years old. He has a slim build and olive skin. His hair and beard are dark, and he was wearing glasses at the time.
The police release also noted their mode of transport. The trio was reportedly traveling in a black Honda Sedan during the commission of these crimes.
This case highlights a growing concern over sophisticated scams targeting vulnerable seniors. Victoria Police continue their investigation and urge anyone with information to come forward immediately.
