A 52-year-old Braddon man will face the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday morning (10 August) on multiple fraud charges after he gained almost $100,000 by falsely claiming he had an illness.
Between September 2016 and August 2017, police allege the man developed trust with a Canberra woman after offering to paint street numbers on her driveway.
The woman gave the man almost $100,000 after he told the woman that he and his children had health difficulties that required ongoing medical care.
Police executed a search warrant on a Braddon address yesterday where the man was arrested and charged with seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Police are aware of similar incidences in recent weeks of elderly and vulnerable people paying hundreds of dollars for street number painting and other basic housework throughout the ACT.
Police will be conducting further enquiries in relation to these matters but urge people to exercise care and caution with people who make unsolicited offers for similar services.
Anyone who has information in relation to people requesting money to paint street numbers or similar services should report it to Police by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
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