Three elderly people targeted by fake carers over three days

Older people have been warned to be vigilant as men and women pretending to be carers target vulnerable residents living alone in Melbourne’s inner south, with experts saying the tricksters look for “ramps, rails and roses” when seeking out victims.

Con artists targeting people using aged care providers in Melbourne’s southeast have hit three elderly people in the last two weeks. Generic picture

A Bayside resident has issued a warning for people using aged carers after her dad was targeted by a con artist.

The facility looking after the old man confirmed another two incidents had also taken place recently.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said her 88-year-old dad lives alone and had been targeted by a woman dressed as a carer offering to make him lunch.

“He normally has a carer come in for the morning and night who helps him with day-to-day things,” she said.

“However, on this occasion a lady dressed as a carer came at lunchtime and barged into his house saying she would make him some vegetable stew.”

After rifling through the man’s fridge, the lady told him she was going to the bathroom and he never saw her again.

An 88-year-old Cheltenham resident was left shaken after a woman posing as his aged carer came into his home. Generic picture

The elderly Cheltenham resident immediately called his daughter and said the incident seemed strange.

Fortunately nothing had been taken from the man’s house, however, on reporting the incident to the in-home care company the man’s daughter was told another two similar incidents had happened.

Nick McDonald, from Prestige Inhome Care, said when they first heard of the incidents a thorough internal investigation was conducted.

“We quickly realised it was a con artist who had nothing to do with the business and we contacted police,” he said.

“The term is ramps, rails and roses, that’s what these people look for when they’re trying to find a house to target.

“The offenders were three completely different people, one was an African woman, another was a caucasian woman and the third was a man.”

Mr McKenzie said he wasn’t sure what the con artists were after because of strange behaviour at one of the incidents.

“One lady was in the shower and while she was in there the faux carer emptied her purse on the ground but took nothing,” he said.

“There was $15 worth of cash there but they didn’t take it, so I’m not sure what they’re looking for.”

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The three incidents occurred over the span of a few days, starting on February 28.

Staff have since sent out alerts to clients and told them how best to make sure they don’t get scammed.

“We told people to make sure staff have the Prestige uniform, ask to see the carer’s ID and if you’re still not sure, call the office and double check,” Mr McKenzie said.

“Police said to call them if you’re concerned about someone who may be posing as a carer.”

It is not known if other aged care providers have been affected by the con artists.