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Tuesday May 22, 2012

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'CBD Conwoman' has been caught

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 14 April, 2010 - 9:43 AM

 

LISTEN ABOVE - Sergeant Duncan Frame of the Melbourne Divisional Tasking Unit keeping Ross and John up to date.

 

UPDATE 19/04/09 - Police have arrested the 'CBD conwoman'.

She was spotted outside St Vincents hospital after Police were alerted by an eagle eyed security guard.

Police are appealing for any victims or witnesses of the conwoman to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

 

 

14/04/09 - A con woman has been scamming Melbournians out of potentially thousands of dollars by contriving false stories which trick good Samaritans into handing over their hard earned cash.

On Tuesday, 3AW Breakfast Host John Burns saw the well-dressed woman in Little Bourke Street, when a friend of his explained how, not long ago, his wife was scammed outside St Vincent's Hospital by the same woman.

In that particular instance the woman claimed to have driven a friend to intensive care, and didn't have any money to pay for petrol to get home.

His story triggered the 3AW switchboard to light up with callers relaying similar experiences of the women's alleged escapades.

It seems the most common story the woman uses to rip off ignorant passerbys relates to her non-existent car running out of petrol. She has also been known to spin a story about not having money to catch a train to Ballarat after her purse was stolen.

Evidently, Melbourne has a plethora of good Samaritans with many handing over $20 or $30 to the woman, with one man saying he handed the woman $50 last month in Collins Plaza.   

3AW listener Tom says he has watched the lady roam the corner of Exhibition and Bourke Street using the same 'my car run out of petrol' routine and says he's seen her score $100 in less than five minutes from Melbournians all too willing to help the out.

Senior Sergeant Pete Sambell from the Victoria Police told the Breakfast program that if the woman was found to be operating, as 3AW listeners have outlined, she could be charged for 'obtaining property by deception', or under an older law known as 'begging arms'.

The locations in Melbourne where the woman is known to operate include Freemasons and St Vincent's Hospital, Little Bourke Street and Collins Street Plaza.

If you have some in contact with the woman let us know below.

Blog comments Your Say

  • zzz minor charges, she needs a good beating.

    shane Monday 19 April, 2010 - 11:27 AM

  • Sharyn is spot on with her description. I've crossed with her many times over the past five years and her stories have been well thought out and very convincing.

    In 2008, I was on 3AW discussing scams and host Mark Holden admitted he was a victim too:

    http://www.conman.com.au/magic/mark-holden-and-the-petrol-lady/

    Nicholas Johnson
    Australia's Honest Con Man

    Nicholas J. Johnson Thursday 15 April, 2010 - 7:56 AM

  • Sorry but the description is wrong.
    She has a long dark curly ponytail, a short fringe and a long curl at each ear.
    She always wears a white shirt or jacket.
    Thank you.

    Sharyn Gibson Wednesday 14 April, 2010 - 4:36 PM

  • "Arms" should read "alms".

    John Wednesday 14 April, 2010 - 11:56 AM

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