Sundeep Vij in court for $33k online scam targeting Sunshine Coast elderly

A man has faced court for collecting tens of thousands of dollars in cash from elderly Sunshine Coast residents after his associates tricked them into thinking they were bank employees.

Sundeep Vij was sentenced at Maroochydore District Court for his involvement in a scam.

A Canberra man who acted as a “subordinate” for impersonating scammers has been sentenced for his part in squeezing more than $30,000 out of Sunshine Coast elderly victims.

Sundeep Vij, 44, appeared in Maroochydore District Court on August 23 wearing a white shirt and jeans after spending more than 14 months in custody on remand.

He pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by dishonestly obtaining property and one of attempted fraud.

Crown prosecutor Erica Zammit told the court three Sunshine Coast residents between 80 and 92 years old had a total of $33,000 taken from them in a scam in June, 2023.

She said each of the victims had received calls from Vij’s associate from India claiming they were from an Australian bank and they required funds to recover a larger sum of money which was stolen or lost in a scam.

The victims were given a code by the phone operator before Vij was sent to their door who recited the code and collected the cash, the court heard.

One of the victims had $10,000 taken before a further $5,000 was requested.

Ms Zammit said the woman called police when she was asked a third time for another $10,000 and officers had arrested Vij when he visited her home.

He had also taken $9000 off the second victim and $9400 off the third.

Ms Zammit labelled the incident as an “overall well-executed scheme” where Vij played a “subordinate role” and travelled to Queensland for the sole purpose of the scheme.

She said it was predatory offending which targeted the elderly of the community.

Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-Mckeown told the court Vij moved from Canberra to Queensland in early June, 2023 and it is not accepted as factual the scam was his only reason behind the move.

He had received $200 from his associates each time he collected money, Mr Ygoa-Mckeown said.

Judge Glen Cash told the court Vij attended TAFE, worked in the fast food sector and ran his own cafe at one point in the past.

He said Vij developed a gambling addiction following the death of his parents, which may be an “explanation” on how he became involved in the scam.

Judge Cash said $18,000 was recovered when he was arrested and will be returned to victims.

Vij was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment immediately suspended for two years after spending 429 days in pre-sentence custody.