Man charged with fraud after allegedly draining bank account of elderly relative

A man has been charged with fraud after allegedly transferring more than $1 million belonging to his 83-year-old mother into his own bank account.

A MAN has been charged with fraud after allegedly transferring more than $1 million belonging to his 83-year-old mother into his own bank account.

Detectives from Financial and Cyber Crime Group allege the man, who lives in Melbourne, transferred the money from the Ashmore woman’s account over a four-year period from 2014. By May 2018, they say $1.145 million had been transferred and her account was almost empty.

Police allege that due to illness, the woman did not have capacity to provide the man with permission to access the funds, and that he had never held the right to lawfully access her finances.

Police will also allege the man used the woman’s debit card to make over $150,000 in unauthorised purchases or withdrawals for his own use.

On June 7 Financial and Cyber Crime Group detectives travelled to Melbourne to execute a search warrant at the man’s home with assistance from Victoria Police.

A 64-year-old Elwood man was charged with one count of fraud greater than $100,000. He is due to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 4.

Detective Superintendent Lance Vercoe of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group said police are determined to protect and support victims of elder abuse.

“I find these types of offences the most gut wrenching and disturbing,” Detective Superintendent Vercoe said.

“I would recommend that the elderly and vulnerable never feel ashamed and to take control if this behaviour occurs and always reach out to a support person or friend”.

Queensland’s Public Trustee Samay Zhouand said almost all cases of elder abuse occur within family relationships.

“It’s devastating, but over 80 per cent of financial elder abuse reports in Queensland involve family or friends mismanaging their role as attorney,” Mr Zhouand said.

“The Queensland Police Service plays such an important role, and we thank you for your critical work.

“But, it does not stop there.

“We all have a role in raising awareness of elder abuse and financial fraud to reduce the risk of elder abuse in the community.”

ELDER ABUSE HELPLINE: 1300 651 192

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Man charged with fraud after allegedly draining bank account of elderly relative