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Authorities received a report regarding a 73-year-old woman who was at home on March 3 when she encountered a man posing as a roofer.
This individual informed her that urgent repairs were needed at her apartment complex.
The man convinced the elderly woman to allow him entry into her home, where he allegedly accessed her personal financial information.
The following day, he returned and drove her to her local bank, coercing her into writing a cheque for tens of thousands of dollars, supposedly as a prepayment for the “repairs.”
Fortunately, the woman later cancelled the cheque and reached out to the police for assistance.
Investigators have now released CCTV footage of a man they believe can help with their inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, aged in his 40s or 50s, and with a distinctive, possibly Irish, accent.
When last seen, he was wearing a black t-shirt, a black hat, and blue jeans.
Police also believe he drives a white van and is accompanied by a second man described only as being of Caucasian appearance.
Inner West Police Area Command crime manager, Detective Inspector Benjamin Kennis, warned older people to be aware they could be targets of scammers.
“These scammers are targeting older people and claim that urgent home repairs are necessary, demanding large sums of money for work that is not needed,” Kennis said.
“We would always recommend anyone approached like this should take the time and check these people are correctly licensed; these details can be checked with authorities such as NSW Fair Trading, Service NSW.”
He urged older people who felt unsure to not let strangers inside their home, nor to accompany them to financial institutions.
“Be on your guard, check credentials, get trusted family members involved, and – if you feel you have been a victim of a scam like this – please call police: we will investigate,” Kennis said.
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