A MAN from the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne has been charged over an alleged diamond scam worth $1.4 million.
Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives have been looking into the scam. They say a man stole upwards of $1.4 million from three victims between September 2017 and October 2021.
Police say the alleged offender told his victims that he owned a diamond mine in Sierra Leone. The victims paid the man to invest in the mine. The offender also allegedly asked for equipment and gifts “for his employees before on-selling items received in an offshore shop,” police say.
Recently police charged a 42-year-old male with 150 deception related offences. He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Committal Court on 2 February next year.
Victoria Police Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Venturoni said “criminals involved in the deception of others are often convincing and take advantage of people’s trust to exploit others for their own financial gain.”
“The community can rest assured that Victoria Police will leave no stone unturned investigating online scams and frauds, given they often leave a significant psychological and financial impact on the victim,” he said. “Victims are often left feeling a wide range of emotions including anger, helplessness and humiliation but it is important to know that no victim is to blame, and help is available. If you believe you are the victim of deception, we urge you to contact your local police station.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 24 November 2021