Detective steals thousands from elderly woman
An elderly woman who was scammed out of $30,000 in an online scam has once again been stolen from, after the police officer helping her recover the money stole her bank details.
In May 2021, 74-year-old Sonia was robbed by fraudsters pretending to be NBN workers after they convinced her to transfer the hefty five-figure sum.
After discovering it was a scam, Sonia then reported the crime to NSW Police, who sent a detective to her home to investigate.
The officer was supposed to be helping Sonia recover her stolen money, but instead tried to use her credit card and banking details and purchase almost $20,000 worth of goods.
The police officer fronted Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday where his barrister tried to explain his client's behaviour saying he had gone "off the rails" and fallen into a depression due to the nature of his work.
In June 2021, the detective, who cannot be named, attended Sonia's home several times to investigate what happened, often wearing his full police uniform.
To gain her sympathy, he said he had a brain aneurysm and had not yet told his girlfriend or work.
According to police documents tendered to the court, Sonia trusted him and he told her she "reminded him of his own grandmother", the Daily Telegraph reported.
When he asked to see her online banking details, credit cards and passwords, Sonia gave them to him willingly, assuming they were needed for his investigation.
The detective tried to buy close to $20,000 worth of items from JB Hi Fi, Big W and Myer, including iPhones, GoPro cameras and Apple Watches.
Thankfully for Sonia, none of the attempted purchases went through, as they were all rejected by Sonia's bank as suspicious activity.
When Sonia was notified of the attempted transactions, she immediately suspected the detective who had been supposed to be helping her.
In court this week, the now former detective pleaded guilty to stealing Sonia's bank details, and will will face Downing Centre District Court in Sydney on May 12th when he will be sentenced.
More than 18 months after the events, Sonia is still very troubled by what happened and blames herself.
"I can't switch off a feeling that I was stupid in the first place ... I trusted this guy and then he did that," she said.
Image credits: Getty Images