A brazen fraudster who cold-called elderly Victorians while pretending to be a police officer to swindle them out of thousands of dollars has been jailed for her crimes.
Dezi Freeman, 30, from Porepunkah, masterminded a sophisticated and heartless scam, convincing her vulnerable victims they were aiding a major police operation. Instead, they were unwittingly handing over their life savings to a criminal.
The Devious 'Police Officer' Ruse
Posing as 'Officer Des Freeman' from the Victorian Police fraud squad, the con artist would contact her targets with a well-rehearsed story. She claimed their bank accounts were compromised and that they needed to withdraw large sums of cash to assist in a covert sting operation.
Freeman instructed the victims to place the money in a designated location, where an undercover courier—often Freeman herself or an accomplice—would collect it for 'safekeeping'. The elaborate fiction was designed to create a sense of urgency and authority, leaving little time for the victims to question its legitimacy.
A Trail of Victims and Heartbreak
The court heard how Freeman's callous scheme netted over $100,000 from multiple victims across the state. One elderly man, aged in his 80s, was defrauded of a staggering $50,000 after being convinced his finances were at severe risk.
The emotional and financial devastation left in the wake of her crimes was profound, with victims suffering not just significant monetary loss but also a deep sense of betrayal and shaken trust.
Justice Served in Wangaratta
Freeman's web of lies unravelled, leading to her arrest and subsequent court case. At the Wangaratta Magistrates' Court, she pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including obtaining property by deception and impersonating a police officer.
Magistrate Ian Watkins condemned the predatory nature of the offences, sentencing Freeman to a 12-month jail term. He highlighted the particular vulnerability of the elderly and the breach of trust inherent in impersonating a figure of authority.
Police Issue Urgent Public Warning
Following the sentencing, Victorian Police have reiterated a crucial public safety message. A genuine police officer will never, under any circumstances, call a member of the public and request they withdraw or hand over money.
Authorities urge the public, especially older citizens, to be extremely sceptical of unsolicited phone calls. The recommended course of action is to hang up immediately and call your local police station on a verified number to report the attempt.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which scammers will go and the importance of vigilant community awareness to prevent such devastating crimes.
