Con Artist Spotted in Newcastle

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

The man

A man accused of stealing more than $40,000 from two elderly women has been spotted leaving a Domayne furniture store in Newcastle.

Police allege the man convinced a 91-year-old woman - currently living in a nursing home on The Entrance - to hand over her personal details after he said he found her purse in a Central Coast nursing home.

He allegedly asked for the private information in what he said was an effort to verify her identity.

The woman later realised about $30,000 had been removed from her bank account.

Police released an image of the man leaving the Kotara Domayne furniture store on Thursday, he was wearing a high-visibility clothes.

The man is believed to drive a grey Toyota 4WD

The incident is believed to be related to another scam where a 93-year-old woman, also from the central coast, was conned into giving her personal details to a man wanting to verify her identity.

"The woman contacted police after she was informed of unusual account activity," said NSW Police.

"Following inquiries, the woman indicated more than $12,000 had been taken from her account, and police attached to Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command commenced an investigation."

Police believe the man is aged in his 40s, and possibly drives a grey Toyota Kulger 4WD.