Community warned after rise in scam behaviour with young women approaching elderly Albany residents

Albany police have issued a warning to the community to be vigilant after a rise in fraudulent behaviour in the past few weeks.

A number of incidents have been reported to police where young females are approaching elderly members of the community and attempting to gain money or property from them.

Great Southern police posted a warning on social media and on Friday that message was reiterated by Albany officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Hugh Letessier.

“In the last three weeks, Albany police have seen a resurgence of the behaviour whereby young women are approaching older, retired people, mainly men,” Sen. Sgt Letessier said.

“They are asking for money on the basis of the idea that they are homeless or need to feed their family members.

“We are warning all members of the community about this fraudulent behaviour.

“Those doing this are trying to take advantage of well-meaning members of the community, in fact, they are defrauding them of their retirement savings.”

Sen. Sgt Letessier said this behaviour is similar to the type of offending that swept the city for several months in the past two years and led to the prosecution of those criminals.

“We urge family members who have elderly relatives to alert them to this behaviour and ask that they encourage reporting any approaches to the police so they can be dealt with appropriately and quickly,” he said.

“It is particularly important family involve themselves because in the past due to a number of reasons police haven’t received reports and can’t take action to protect older members of the community.

“The behaviour is identical to some incidents that happened in 2021 and 2022.

“Local police want all members of the community to be aware of it, for the intention of preventing it from happening again.”

Albany police warn people from allowing unknown persons into their residence or providing them with personal and or financial details.

They called for anyone that has been a victim of this behaviour to come forward.

Any suspicious activity or incidents relating to this fraudulent activity can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at . www.crimestopperswa.com.au