Detectives are appealing for public assistance to identify three men believed to be involved in a phone-based scam that left a 91-year-old woman more than $10,000 out of pocket in Melbourne’s east.
The Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit says the Hawthorn woman was contacted on 3 March 2025 by a man claiming to be from her bank. Investigators allege the offender gained remote access to the woman’s account, transferring $4,947 and attempting further transactions that were blocked by the bank.
Police say the offender then falsely told the victim her bank cards were faulty and arranged to collect them from her home. Acting in good faith, the woman handed over the cards.
Detective Senior Constable Milly Osborne from the Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit said police were seeing an increase in phone-based financial scams, particularly those targeting elderly members of the community.
“Police are noticing a rise in phone-based financial scams, often targeting elderly members of the community,” she said.
“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.”
Later the same day, the cards were allegedly used by three offenders to carry out a series of transactions across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. These included a $1,000 cash withdrawal from an ATM on Main Street in Box Hill at about 6.40 pm, a $4,333 purchase at a retailer on Middleborough Road in Box Hill South around 7.25 pm, and a $369.97 purchase at a chemist on Doncaster Road in Doncaster at approximately 7.45 pm.
In total, the scam and subsequent card use resulted in losses exceeding $10,000.
Victoria Police have released CCTV footage and images of three men they believe may be able to assist with their investigation. The first man is described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, about 35 years old, with a solid build, olive skin, and dark hair and beard. The second man is described as being about 25 years old, with a slim build, olive skin, medium-length wavy hair and a dark beard. The third man, also about 25 years old, is described as having a slim build, olive skin, dark hair and beard, and was wearing glasses.
Police believe the trio were travelling in a black Honda sedan at the time of the alleged offences.
“I do feel sorry for these elderly victims, which is why I would love to identify these males and disrupt any further offending,” detective added.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
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