Alleged fraudsters accused of stealing $72,000 from Bexley man in scam
A GROUP of alleged fraudsters from Ireland are accused of stealing thousands from an elderly Sydney man under the guise of repairing his roof before attempting to flee the country. A 72-year-old man was allegedly defrauded of $72,000.
A group of alleged fraudsters from Ireland are accused of stealing thousands from an elderly Sydney man under the guise of repairing his roof before attempting to flee the country.
Irish national James O’Driscoll, 20, allegedly told a 72-year-old Bexley man that his roof needed essential repairs before ripping it apart and demanding $42,000 in payment upfront.
Police documents allege: “O’Driscoll and the co-accused deceived the victim, claimed they would repair his roof and set about dismantling significant portions of the structure.
“They convinced the victim to pay them in advance for the labour a total of $42,000.”
At Sutherland Local Court today O’Driscoll did not enter a plea to a charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
He will remain in custody until his next court appearance via audiovisual link on March 29.
Police became aware of the alleged fraud syndicate “targeting elderly, isolated and vulnerable victims” after the accused ringleader Jordan Hearne was detained by Australian Border Force officers as he attempted to leave Australia on a stolen passport on March 6.
Hearne, also an Irish national, was allegedly found with large amounts of cash and jewellery in his luggage and charged with aggravated break and enter.
A third Irishman aged 22 was also arrested as he attempted to board a flight to Qatar on March 9 and was also allegedly found in possession of large amounts of cash and jewellery.
He was charged with fraud and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police are still seeking a fourth man in connection to the alleged syndicate.
Officers found O’Driscoll at the elderly alleged victim’s Bexley home on March 8 before he fled the scene.
It is alleged O’Driscoll then drove to Melbourne and attempted to fly to China with $6000 in cash police say was proceeds of crime before he was arrested.
Police described the group’s modus operandi as “strikingly similar to other fraud matters under investigation”.
“If he was to remain at large it is likely he would commit fraud offences in order to remain in the country and remain undetected,” police allege.
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