Western Sydney men charged with fraud after alleged $90k phone scam

Two men have been charged with a raft of fraud offences after allegedly netting $90,000 from unwitting Sydneysiders in a phone call scam operation.

Two alleged phone fraudsters have been charged after they reportedly scammed more than $90,000 from people over two months.

Police began to investigate a phone scam operating throughout Sydney on January 12, following reports a 23-year-old woman had been defrauded of almost $15,000.

On January 15, officers raided a unit on Willeroo St, Lakemba, where clothing and electronic devices were seized, and a 19-year-old man was arrested at Homebush.

Investigators then received information another six people had been targeted with similar phone calls and messages.

Following further inquiries, they raided a unit on Morton St, Parramatta on Thursday.

Officers seized credit cards and electronic devices and 20-year-old Abdullah Khan was arrested at the scene.

Officers raided a unit on Willeroo St, Lakemba.

Police will alleged in court that the 23-year-old woman received phone calls and messages from an unknown woman claiming to be a police officer, telling her she had an outstanding arrest and would the caller would be in touch again.

The woman was then contacted by a man claiming to be a Burwood police officer, and then bought $4,500 worth of gift cards and sent them to a specific number.

She then received another call from the woman and met with a man at Barangaroo to give him a further cash payment.

Investigators will allege in court the pair defrauded seven people out of total of $92,500 in two months.

Abdullah Khan was arrested in Parramatta.

After his arrest, the 19-year-old was taken to Campsie Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on February 9.

On Thursday, Khan was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with 20 offences, including nine each of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday, before being again denied bail to reappear at the same court on April 1.

Inquiries are continuing.

HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM PHONE FRAUD:

NSW Police recommends:

• If you receive a threatening phone call asking for money, hang up

• Do not give any personal details to the caller

• Do not make any phone, internet or cash payments to the caller

• Do not give any account details, e.g. PIN numbers, account names or numbers

• Contact police immediately to report the incident