A man has been charged after allegedly defrauding elderly Central Coast and Southern NSW residents.
Police have been told 15 residents from retirement villages and residential complexes across the Central Coast, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and Canberra received phone calls between January and April 2020, from a man claiming to be from their bank.
Police will allege the man stole bank cards then called the owners, getting information from them which enabled him to withdraw cash from ATMs in East Maitland, East Gosford, Tahmoor, Tuggerah Lakes, Belmont, Dapto and Canberra.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 45-year-old man at a Springfield home, near Gosford, on Monday morning.
During a search of the home, police seized mobile phones, cannabis, banking documentation and clothing.
The man was taken to Woy Woy Police Station, where he was charged with 19 counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and is due to face Newcastle Local Court today.
Investigations are continuing and police are reminding members of the public, especially vulnerable people such as the elderly, to never give their bank or personal details out.
Those who are concerned their details have been fraudulently obtained are urged to contact their local police station.
