Two men have been arrested and charged after a vulnerable Bay of Plenty man was allegedly defrauded of a significant amount of money in an elaborate scam.
According to police, the victim was manipulated into withdrawing cash from his bank account and handing it over to the alleged offenders.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen said scammers were often highly convincing and tended to target people when they were vulnerable or feeling pressured.
A police investigation identified those allegedly responsible and led to a targeted operation, which resulted in the arrest of two men.
They have been charged with obtaining by deception and were due to appear in Rotorua District Court. They potentially faced further charges.
“This was a thorough investigation that enabled us to identify those we believe were responsible and hold them to account,” Van Kempen said.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are using the case as a reminder that scams can happen to anyone.
Van Kempen said scams were increasingly common and were not always obvious.
“No one is immune to being targeted.
“These offenders are often skilled at creating a sense of urgency or trust to persuade people to hand over money, personal information or banking details.”
Police urge people to be cautious when receiving unexpected phone calls, emails, text messages or requests for money.
“If something doesn’t feel right, stop and verify the request through official channels before taking any action. Taking a moment to check could save you from significant financial loss.”
Anyone who believes they have been scammed should gather as much information as possible and report it to police via 105, either online or by phone.
Victims are also encouraged to contact their banks immediately, as funds can be recovered in some cases.