New South Wales police arrest suspects in $150,000 elderly shopping scam

Police have arrested and extradited two individuals from Queensland to New South Wales in connection with a series of shopping centre scams targeting elderly people. The suspects, a 49-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, face 24 charges, including 12 counts of theft and 12 counts of fraud.

The investigation, conducted by Strike Force Danube, is part of an effort to dismantle a transnational organised crime network. The group allegedly targeted elderly victims, particularly women, by using a distraction technique: one member would claim a victim had dropped cash or a wallet, and while the victim checked their belongings, a second member would steal their bank cards to conduct fraudulent transactions.

Authorities have received 34 reports of such incidents across New South Wales, spanning from the South Coast to Grafton and including several Sydney suburbs. The total amount stolen is estimated to exceed $150,000. A 38-year-old man was previously extradited from Perth in April 2026 and has appeared in court regarding the same investigation.