Conwoman takes diamond ring which was being sold for Roki’s urgent treatment

ROKI, aged 19 months, suffers from cerebral palsy and when his mother tried to sell a family heirloom for his medical bills, a conwoman struck.

Ina Mills had a $9000 diamond ring stolen from her home at Newport by a conwoman who wanted to buy it. The ring sale was going to fund an expensive medical procedure for her son Roki, who has cerebral palsy. Rokipic.

A HEARTLESS conwoman has stolen a $9000 diamond and ruby ring which was being sold on Gumtree by a Newport mum to pay for her son’s urgent medical treatment.

Ina Mills said the thief, a woman in her 20s, came to their home saying she was keen to help and met 19-month-old Roki who was born with cerebral palsy and brain damage.

Mrs Mills said the culprit may have targeted them because the advert said cash from the ring sale would be used to help their “disabled baby boy” and had assumed correctly that they would need the money quickly.

“She sat on our couch and told us how cute our children were, what lovely curls Ruby (Roki’s sister) had and how she thought Roki would get better,” said Mrs Mills.

Ina Mills and her son Roki at their Newport home. Picture: Braden Fastier.

But in a breathtaking act of cruelty, the scammer agreed on a discounted price of $7000 and faked a bank transfer on her mobile phone. She then left, effectively without paying a cent.

Roki has had two stem cell treatments in India and a third and final treatment is planned for next month. Each trip costs $40,000 for the treatment, flights and accommodation­.

STEWART BROTHERS’ CORSO KIOSK PLAN IN TROUBLE

MANLY’S THE BLOCK COUPLE WIN SECOND CHALLENGE

Mrs Mills said the woman, calling herself Tanya, was in her mid-20s, had long dark, brown hair, dark brown eyes, olive skin and was of a large build, around 170cms tall. She wore black jeans, top and shoes and said she was from Marrickville.

The ring was valued at $9000.

Mrs Mills only discovered she had been duped three days later when the money had not landed in the family’s bank account and reported it to the police on January 30.

She said: “I tried to ring her on the mobile number we had been texting each other on. All I got was a message saying check the number.

“When she left she made a point of stopping at Roki’s rocker chair. She wished us luck, thanked us for letting her into our home and walked out the door with the ring knowing we would never get the money.

“We feel abused because she came into our home and stole from under our noses — she stole from Roki.”

FAMILY RAISING MONEY FOR STEM CELL TREATMENT

ROKI ON ROAD TO RECOVERY AFTER STEM CELL TREATMENT IN INDIA

Mrs Mills said the handmade ruby and diamond ring wax donated by a great aunt.

To make matters worse, it was an engagement ring given to her by her late husband, who died of cancer.

Mrs Mills said she feels sick knowing she told the woman about their lives.

“I told her how difficult it had been since Roki was born, how we had worked so hard to fundraise for him for the last two years and how the money from the ring would enable us to pay for stem cell treatment for Roki, who was born with cerebral palsy and brain damage,” she said.

Selling the ring would have helped pay for an important medical procedure for Roki. Picture: Braden Fastier.

Mrs Mills said she had agreed over the phone that the woman, who had called asking to see the ring, could pay for it by bank transfer as she liked it. The thief visited them on Australia Day.

“She tried on the ring, and even though it was a little small for her finger, she said she wanted it and would have it altered,” said Mrs Mills.

“She showed me the Westpac transaction, it looked just like the website and she showed me the security code text she received. “She also sent me a copy via SMS,” said Mrs Mills, whose husband Dave, 40, had said before the woman arrived they should ask for ID.

“I felt embarrassed to ask for ID. She was giving us money to help Roki,” she said adding that they hadn’t had any interest in the ring since it was listed on December 21 and needed the money for treatment in March.

“I never imagined she would not pay. She seemed so normal and very calm.

“We’ve only had amazing support from the local community, so we didn’t expect this at all.”

Since Roki started treatment he no longer suffers painful epileptic fits or spasms and has gained more control over his movement.

HELPING HAND

● Sea Eagles legends both past and present will be attending the AUCTION4ROKI fundraising night on March 16, at the Collaroy Hotel

● Special guests include Steve “Beaver” Menzies, Max Krilich, Cliffy Lyons, Alan Thompson, Johnny Gibbs, Ian Thompson, Matt Ballin, Jorge Taufua, David “Wolfman” Williams and many more

● Tickets are $40 and include music, drink and canapés

● Donate at rokiroad.com