Two extradited over $150,000 shopping centre theft ring
A 49-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were extradited and charged with 24 offences over shopping centre scams.
Police extradited two people from Queensland on Tuesday after a six-month investigation into organised shopping centre theft. The pair were charged with 12 counts of theft and 12 counts of fraud.
Strike Force Danube found they targeted elderly shoppers, particularly women, in 34 separate incidents across NSW from February to March. The con worked like this: one person would approach a shopper claiming to have found their dropped cash or wallet.
When the victim opened their wallet to check, a second person in the group allegedly stole their bank cards, which were then used for fraudulent purchases. Reports came from the South Coast north to Grafton.
The pair were refused bail and faced court on Wednesday. A third man was extradited from Perth in April and has also appeared before the court.
- 34 incidents
- Theft reports
- Over 150,000 dollars
- Money stolen
- 49-year-old man, 30-year-old woman
- Ages of extradited pair
- South Coast to Grafton, NSW
- Geographic reach
Why it mattersThe ring targeted vulnerable older Australians at busy public places, and police say investigations are ongoing as they hunt for other organised crime members involved.
AustraliaElderly Australians across NSW have been hit by this theft ring, and the arrests highlight the need for shoppers to be alert to distraction theft tactics at shopping centres.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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