An elderly Melbourne woman has been scammed out of more than $10,000 after a man allegedly tricked her into giving him access to her account and handing over her bank cards.
The 91-year-old from Hawthorn was allegedly contacted by a man claiming to be from her bank on March 3, 2025, Victoria Police said on Monday.
He allegedly gained remote access to her bank account and stole $4,947, and when transfers were blocked, he falsely claimed her cards were faulty and arranged to pick them up from her address.
Three men then allegedly used the cards to make a withdrawal of $1,000 from an ATM on Main Street in Box Hill at 6.40pm, a purchase valued at $4,333 from a retailer on Middleborough Road in Box Hill South at 7.25pm, and a purchase valued at $369.97 from a chemist on Doncaster Road in Doncaster at 7.45pm.
Investigators have released CCTV and images of three men they believe can assist with their enquiries.
“The first man is perceived to be of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, approximately 35 years old with a solid build, olive skin, and dark-coloured hair and beard,” police said.
“The second man is perceived to be of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, approximately 25 years old with a slim build, olive skin, medium-length wavy hair and a dark-coloured beard.
“The third man is perceived to be of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, approximately 25 years old with a slim build, olive skin, dark-coloured hair and beard, and was wearing glasses.”
It is believed the trio was travelling in a black Honda sedan at the time.
Detective Senior Constable Milly Osborne from the Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit said there has been a rise in phone-based financial scams targeting elderly Australians.
“A common tactic involves offenders convincing victims to place their bank cards in their mailboxes for a supposed ‘collection’ by the bank, which is often abided by out of good faith and trust by the victims,” she said.
“I do feel for sorry for these elderly victims, which is why I would love to identity these males and disrupt any further offending.”
Header image: Two of the three men police believe can assist with their enquiries (Victoria Police).
