New Scam Hits Hunter Beaches

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter beachgoers are being warned about a scam where victims are robbed of their mobile phones and then blackmailed to get them back.

Fairfax media reports a 19-year-old woman from Wangi Wangi had her iPhone 6 stolen at Bar Beach on Australia Day - she then paid $300 to get it back from the thieves.

A second woman fell for the same scam at Newcastle Beach two weeks ago costing her $400, while a Belmont man is out of pocket $250 after his phone and keys were stolen at Blacksmiths Beach.

Police are urging swimmers to report thefts and not to negotiate with the thieves who are described as being two men aged in their late teens or early 20s.

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.