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Police are appealing for any sightings of 51-year-old Pieta Mullions, who has been reported as missing from the Point Chevalier area.
Pieta was last seen at her home address in Wainui Avenue at about 6.30am yesterday morning.
She is described as of a medium build, about 172cms tall with blue … View morePolice are appealing for any sightings of 51-year-old Pieta Mullions, who has been reported as missing from the Point Chevalier area.
Pieta was last seen at her home address in Wainui Avenue at about 6.30am yesterday morning.
She is described as of a medium build, about 172cms tall with blue eyes and was last seen wearing a light blue bathrobe.
Police and Pieta’s family have concerns for her wellbeing and urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 111 and reference file number 240711/1621.
Additionally, anyone who has further information can contact Police on 105, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A Police investigation has turned the heat up on a cold-calling scammer claiming to be an officer.
Police recently shared about the scam in which victims receive a call to their landline phone, by someone pretending to be a Police officer and providing a fake badge number.
In recent weeks, 18… View moreA Police investigation has turned the heat up on a cold-calling scammer claiming to be an officer.
Police recently shared about the scam in which victims receive a call to their landline phone, by someone pretending to be a Police officer and providing a fake badge number.
In recent weeks, 18 Aucklanders have allegedly been duped out of more than a quarter of a million dollars.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, from Auckland City’s Financial Crime Unit, says victims are told a story about needing their assistance with an investigation.
“The scam will always involve this so-called officer asking for financial information or asking you to withdraw cash to be collected as part of an investigation into banks,” he says.
On Monday, real Police officers caught up with the scammer following a foot chase through central Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says a 25-year-old UK national was taken into custody.
Today, he will face the Auckland District Court on 22 charges of obtains by deception, attempting to obtain by deception and escaping custody.
Police will be opposing his bail.
“We will allege in court that this man, who only arrived in New Zealand in early June, was on his way at the time to collect more cash from a previous victim,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.
“Instead, real detectives turned up at the victim’s doorstep to advise him he was about to be scammed out of $20,000 in cash.
“Financial Crime investigators from all three policing districts' fraud teams in Tāmaki Makaurau have been working together to piece together this offending, and this is a great outcome.”
Aucklanders who fell victim of the scam were aged between 56 and 90, with the majority over 80.
“This man’s alleged actions betrayed the good-will of vulnerable and elderly members of our community,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.
The offender has victims from right across Auckland, with a total of $297,700 in cash lost.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says enquiries are ongoing, and Police will work to recover as much of the cash as possible.
Please remember:
- Police will never call to ask you for bank details, pin numbers or passwords
- Police do not offer prize money
- Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money
- If you receive a call out of the blue of a similar nature: challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details.
- Hang up, contact 105 to verify the ID and request the officer to contact you
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
A phone scam is re-emerging with cold calling swindlers claiming to be Police officers.
New Zealand Police are advising the public to be vigilant, after a handful of reports have been made in recent days. Unfortunately, at least two elderly Aucklanders have been conned out of tens of thousands … View moreA phone scam is re-emerging with cold calling swindlers claiming to be Police officers.
New Zealand Police are advising the public to be vigilant, after a handful of reports have been made in recent days. Unfortunately, at least two elderly Aucklanders have been conned out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Waitematā CIB’s Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting says scammers are cold calling, mainly on landlines, and claim to be a Police officer.“They will also provide a fake ID or badge number to make their call seem legitimate,” he says.“This person will carry on and provide a reason for their call: either they are investigating fake bank notes, or that your credit card has been cloned.
“As part of this scam, they will ask you to withdraw money from a nearby bank to be collected or ask you to provide further financial or banking information to aid their investigation.”
Be aware: this is a scam call.
Police are investigating two reports this week, in south Auckland and the North Shore, where two people have fallen victim to the scam. “Both victims withdrew cash from a bank and handed this over to someone who arrived at their door to collect it under the fake cover story,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says.“These victims have had their good-will and trust trodden on by these scammers.”
Investigation staff have ensured there is support available for the victims. Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says: “Scammers have no ethics whatsoever and will take any opportunity to try and con you.“These scams take many forms, and the offenders trick people under a variety of guises or storylines.”
There are occasions where legitimate Police officers will contact people as part of their duties, he says.
Police are asking the community to be aware and take the opportunity to spread the word amongst friends and family members. “We are particularly keen to ensure elder family members are aware of what is happening,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says. “If anyone receives a call of this nature, hang up.
“If you have had the unfortunate position of being a victim to this scam and have not reported this, we encourage you to report this to Police.”
Please remember:
- Police will never call to ask you for bank details, pin numbers or passwords
- Police do not offer prize money
- Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money
- If you receive a call out of the blue of a similar nature: challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details.
- Hang up, contact 105 to verify the ID and request the officer to contact you
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
State Highway 25, Thames/Coromandel is closed due to a tree that has fallen and slips blocking the road.
It is expected to take some time to clear and motorists are advised to expect delays and can check the status of the road on the NZTA website.
A homicide investigation is under way following the death of a man in Ponsonby on Sunday evening.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, Auckland City CIB, says emergency services responded to reports of a firearm being discharged outside an address on Ponsonby Road around 10.18pm last night.
… View moreA homicide investigation is under way following the death of a man in Ponsonby on Sunday evening.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, Auckland City CIB, says emergency services responded to reports of a firearm being discharged outside an address on Ponsonby Road around 10.18pm last night.
“Upon arrival, a man was located deceased.
“Our investigation is now in the early stages to determine the full circumstances of what has occurred.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says the community can expect to see an increased Police presence in the Ponsonby area today.
“Road closures are currently in place on Ponsonby Road between Franklin and Richmond Roads and Police are assisting with traffic management.
“A scene guard has also been established and will remain in place today while our enquiries continue,” he says.
Enquiries to locate the person believed to be responsible remain ongoing.
“Police have been in the area overnight speaking to a number of witnesses who were in the vicinity at the time of the incident,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.
“While at this stage, no arrests have been made, Police are following lines of enquiry.”
A post-mortem examination and formal identification of the victim will be carried out over the coming days.
Police encourage anyone else who was in the area or has information to assist who have not yet spoken to us to please get in touch.
You can contact Police via our 105 phone service or online at www.police.govt.nz....
Please reference file number 240506/9353.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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