Md Mostofa Tareque: Widow, 81, allegedly defrauded of $32k by disability worker

A southwest Sydney disability worker was allegedly involved in a “disgusting” syndicate targeting elderly people and forcing one woman to hand over “her entire savings”.

A southwest Sydney disability worker has been charged after he allegedly duped an elderly woman into handing over more than $32,000 by pretending to be a police officer as part of what police allege was a “disgusting” syndicate targeting vulnerable people.

Md Mostofa Tareque, of Bankstown, appeared via AVL at Goulburn Local Court on Tuesday morning after he was arrested Monday night and charged with two counts of obtain property by deception, attempt to obtain property by deception and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.

Police allege the Bankstown man was involved in an alleged syndicate that targets elderly people, forcing them to hand over large sums of money.

It is alleged 81-year-old Harrington Park widow Janet Connerton was contacted by a man on social media, pretending to be from a law enforcement agency earlier this month.

Md Mostafra Tareque has been released on bail after he was arrested over the alleged fraud of an elderly woman. Picture: Lauren Ferri

After speaking online, Ms Connerton was convinced to disclose personal information before she was called by someone who allegedly claimed to be an “agent” from the Austalian Federal Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury said the man told the elderly woman she would be arrested and must hand over money.

“As a result she removed money from the bank and handed it directly over,” Det-Insp Albury said.

Ms Connerton attended her bank at Narellan on two occasions, withdrawing large sums of money totalling $32,000.

Each time she withdrew from her bank, police allege an AFP officer who claimed to be named “Alex” went to her home and collected the money.

The 81-year-old went to her bank on Monday where “quick-thinking staff” reported the matter to police.

Camden police began investigating and arrested Mr Tareque outside the woman’s home at 6.30pm on Monday.

Police allegedly found an envelope containing $12,800 in the man’s car that had been withdrawn from a Bowral bank and taken from a man in the Southern Highlands, according to Det-Insp Albury.

Mr Tareque appeared via AVL from Narellan Police Station where he applied for bail where a legal aid solicitor told the court he is a full time disability care worker at Sunnyhaven Disability Services and cares for his wife and children.

Mr Lloyd told the court his client did not have anything to do with the syndicate but was “merely a person collecting funds” and did not know the alleged victims.

Police allege the Bankstown man was involved in an alleged syndicate that targets elderly people, forcing them to hand over large sums of money. Picture: Lauren Ferri

“He did not have any criminal intention, he was of the belief that he was collecting money,” Mr Lloyd said.

Police prosecutor Peter Robinson argued against bail, saying Mr Tareque was a danger to vulnerable people in the community.

“The larger syndicate is not known but 10 years could be the maximum sentence,” the police prosecutor told the court.

“There was clear pre-planning and sophistication of operation, it’s a strong prosecution case.”

The court heard Mr Tareque is not an authorised worker and had been travelling to regional areas, such as Moss Vale, to collect money and received a 2 per cent commission from “unknown people”.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie acknowledges the allegations were “very serious”, and told the court the elderly people were kept on the phone for “many hours” to ensure they were not talking to anyone else as the money was collected

While Mr Tareque’s lawyer said his client believed he was “doing honest work” by collecting money, Magistrate Beattie did not have the same view.

“He was found to park his car on the opposite side of the victim’s street, which suggests that he’s hiding,” she said.

“He also travelled far to collect this money, he is subject to lockdown and had no regard to that and it seems a strange circumstance that someone would be willing to do that and not see something wrong with it.”

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury said the man told the elderly woman she would be arrested and must hand over money. Picture: Lauren Ferri

Magistrate Beattie said it was clear the offending was “part of a bigger operation” as the alleged victims are very vulnerable and hand over the money in hear police will come after them.

The court heard Ms Connerton had her entire savings taken away from her, with no other money left in the bank.

Magistrate Beattie granted the 36-year-old conditional bail, noting his lack of criminal history and the health concerns of his wife.

Mr Tareque must be of good behaviour, live at his home and not go near any witnesses, only leave home for work and grocery shopping and is not allowed to enter the Camden LGA.

Det Insp Albury said the alleged syndicate was “disgusting”.

“Beyond comprehension that someone would target somebody this vulnerable and take away their hard earned money,” he said.

He said police will allege others were involved in the syndicate, but Mr Tareque’s alleged role was to “pick up money from victims and transport it to other locations”.

Det Insp Albury also admitted there have been seven other reported frauds in the area with similar circumstances this year.

“These are potentially people’s life savings, pensioners, people who are the most vulnerable in our community.”

Police are warning members of the public not to provide any personal information over the phone and are urged to contact their local police station should they receive a phone call from someone they don’t know requesting money.