Cameron Hunter: The attempted scammer gets scammed

A western NSW disability worker attempted to scam thousands of dollars off an elderly man by claiming to be a Westpac employee. Read how he got caught.

Westpac logo.

A western NSW disability worker attempted to scam thousands of dollars off an elderly man – impersonating a Westpac security worker.

Cameron Hunter, 38, was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Following further inquiries, police allege two similar incidents occurred in February involving an elderly couple in Toowoon Bay, and an 84-year-old man in Mudgee.

He was charged with a further two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Mudgee Courthouse

Hunter appeared in Mudgee Local Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to one count of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception by attempting to steal $13,000.

The 38-year-old called the victim on his landline, claiming to be a Westpac security worker, warning the victim that two withdrawals of $1300.99 and $13,000 were made in two consecutive days in February.

Police facts tendered to the court state “the victim checked on his banking application and found no record of these transactions”.

“The caller informed the victim that they wanting to catch the persons responsible for these transactions,” the facts state.

Hunter told the 73-year-old man that he needed to withdraw $13,000 in cash from his account in order to place the money in a separate account to “catch the perpetrators of the attempted fraudulent transactions”.

According to the facts, the victim agreed to this, to which Hunter said he would come to his residence to collect and “secure” the money.

Mudgee Courthouse.

The victim withdrew the $13,000 and told Hunter to meet him at 4pm at his address - the victim contacted Mudgee Police Station and informed them of the situation.

According to the facts, police witnessed Hunter walking to the victim’s premises from a blue Toyota Yaris at 4.20pm.

Hunter showed the victim his driver's license to prove his identification and requested the victim to “provide him the cash”.

For security reasons, the victim declined to give the offender the money.

Police then approached the victim as he walked back to his car and the other occupant in the vehicle.

When police asked what Hunter was doing at the address, he stated he was visiting an “old friend” but drove to the “wrong address”.

“Police informed the accused and the other occupant that they would be searched due to suspicions they were in possession of items in connection with a relevant offence,” the statement said.

Hunter is currently on bail and is due for sentencing May 16.