Three Irish man aged between 20 and 22 have been arrested in the last week.
Three Irish nationals have been arrested in Australia in relation to a roof scamming operation targeting elderly home owners.
The three Irish men have been charged by Strike Force Denain, a Police Area Command investigation into a series of alleged frauds targeting elderly home owners in New South Wales.
New South Wales police confirmed on Thursday that a 20-year-old Irish man has been extradited from Melbourne to Sydney to face charges relating to the scamming operation.
This follows the arrest of a 20-year-old Irish national last Thursday (7 March). The man was bound for the United Kingdom but was arrested at Sydney Airport by Australian Federal Police.
He was placed into New South Wales custody and police allegedly discovered large amounts of cash and jewellery in the arrested man’s luggage.
He was charged with aggravated break and enter and denied police bail.
Detectives quickly established that an alleged scam was underway and would continue the next day at a home in Bexley, a short distance south of Sydney.
It’s alleged the detectives contacted and warned the home owner, a 72-year-old man.
Following further inquiries, at 8.20pm on Saturday 9 March, police arrested a 22-year-old Irish national at Sydney airport as he tried to board a flight to Qatar.
A search of his luggage allegedly uncovered a large amount of cash and jewellery.
He was charged with fraud and dealing in proceeds of crime and refused police bail.
Around 10am on Monday (11 March), meanwhile, a 20-year-old Irish national was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport as he tried to board a flight to Shanghai.
Detectives flew to Melbourne and successfully applied for his extradition to New South Wales late on Wednesday.
The man was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Refused bail, he is expected to appear today in the Sutherland Local Court in New South Wales today (14 March).
The hunt for a fourth alleged offender is continuing.
Police are now liaising with other commands and Victoria Police in relation to similar alleged fraud offences involving elderly victims.
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