Hunt for woman after scammers used fake IDs to steal from banks
Police are hunting for a woman after it is believed she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in a Melbourne ID scam.
Detectives from the Fraud and Extortion Squad have released CCTV and images of a woman they wish to speak to in relation to the investigation.
The alleged scam involves obtaining victim’s personal details before making fraudulent identification.
This enables the offenders to re-direct mail from the victim’s address, order new bank cards and change bank account details.
Between April 11 and April 26, a woman attended several eastern suburbs banks and ATM locations in suburbs including Doncaster East, Bulleen, Balwyn, Blackburn, Box Hill, Kew and Templestowe.
While at the banks, she allegedly used a fake Chinese passport to conduct a number of administrative changes.
On April 24, she allegedly attended a bank in Kew and transferred a significant amount of cash out of the victim’s account.
Police say she then attended a different bank in Bulleen on April 26 and attempted to transfer money from a second separate victim’s account.
This second transaction was processed but subsequently reversed shortly after when the victim became aware and contacted the bank.
Investigators are urging people to be aware of the scam as it is believed the victims are highly targeted.
On both occasions the victims, who are of Chinese heritage and live in the eastern suburbs, were overseas at the time of the offence.
The offenders had also managed to obtain their personal details – including date of birth, address and bank account data.
Offenders do not appear to be targeting customers of any specific bank, instead they appear to be targeting victims of Chinese background in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Police are urging people to be aware of the scam and ensure any fraudulent activity is reported to police for investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
