Latest news with #DetectiveSuperintendent
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Cops swoop at Australian airport in $3M blessing scam
An elderly woman is the latest victim of a 'disgraceful' spiritual blessing scam defrauding dozens of people out of priceless jewels and thousands of dollars. NSW Police arrested a 63-year-old woman at Sydney Airport on Thursday night before taking her to Mascot Police Station. She is accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of $130,000 in cash and jewellery in Parramatta, in the city's west, in June. Detective Superintendent Guy Magee told a press conference on Friday that police believed over 50 people were involved in the scam in Sydney and Melbourne. He said the men act as the coordinators, while the women are tasked with convincing victims their wealth needed to be blessed to protect their families from spirits. Supt Magee said the syndicate was 'targeting the entire east coast'. 'The offending could be double what we think,' he told reporters. 'There is an element of shame and humiliation for the victims... please don't be [ashamed] and let us stand alongside you. We're also calling out to the younger generations of these Asian communities to tell their parents and grandparents about this scam. Tell them they shouldn't be talking to strangers or taking them back to their homes. Tell them not to follow anyone to a herbal or spiritual healer.' Police said it is the latest example of a scam aimed at people of Asian backgrounds, where alleged offenders 'exploit cultural fears'. 'Once the scammers are in possession of their money and valuables including jewellery, the items are swapped with items of no value and the women are encouraged not to open the bags for an extended time,' police said. A police Strike Force has been in operation since April, investigating alleged blessing scams across Sydney since 2023. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents in that time and say the scams have netted a cool $3million in cash and valuables. The 63-year-old woman arrested on Thursday was charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group, and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. She was set to face Parramatta Local Court on Friday after being denied police bail.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Cops swoop on $3million 'Chinese blessing' scam targeting vulnerable Aussies in Sydney and Melbourne
An elderly woman is the latest victim of a 'disgraceful' spiritual blessing scam defrauding dozens of people out of priceless jewels and thousands of dollars. NSW Police arrested a 63-year-old woman at Sydney Airport on Thursday night before taking her to Mascot Police Station. She is accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman out of $130,000 in cash and jewellery in Parramatta, in the city's west, in June. Detective Superintendent Guy Magee told a press conference on Friday that police believed over 50 people were involved in the scam in Sydney and Melbourne. He said the men act as the coordinators, while the women are tasked with convincing victims their wealth needed to be blessed to protect their families from spirits. Supt Magee said the syndicate was 'targeting the entire east coast'. 'The offending could be double what we think,' he told reporters. 'There is an element of shame and humiliation for the victims... please don't be [ashamed] and let us stand alongside you. 'We're also calling out to the younger generations of these Asian communities to tell their parents and grandparents about this scam. 'Tell them they shouldn't be talking to strangers or taking them back to their homes. 'Tell them not to follow anyone to a herbal or spiritual healer.' Police said it is the latest example of a scam aimed at people of Asian backgrounds, where alleged offenders 'exploit cultural fears'. 'Once the scammers are in possession of their money and valuables including jewellery, the items are swapped with items of no value and the women are encouraged not to open the bags for an extended time,' police said. A police Strike Force has been in operation since April, investigating alleged blessing scams across Sydney since 2023. Police have received reports of more than 80 incidents in that time and say the scams have netted a cool $3million in cash and valuables. The 63-year-old woman arrested on Thursday was charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group, and demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal. She was set to face Parramatta Local Court on Friday after being denied police bail.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Horror as young entrepreneur, 21, is stabbed to death on a driveway - and police have 'no idea' why
A manhunt is underway after a young entrepreneur was fatally stabbed on the driveway of a loved one's home. Police are yet to rule out a link to organised crime following the brazen attack on Luke Manassa, 21, on Thursday night in Sydney 's west. He was stabbed in the chest multiple times, just seconds after he got out of his work ute while visiting a relative on Driftway Drive, Pemulwuy, at around 10.45pm. Police are hunting two hooded men who were believed to be waiting for Mr Manassa as he pulled up. Mr Manassa managed to get back into his car after the attack and drove about 500m down the road to a bus stop where he pulled over before dying from his wounds. Neighbours rushed to help and tried to stop the bleeding but the 21-year-old couldn't be saved. 'It was just horrific,' one resident told The Daily Telegraph. 'There was so much screaming and blood. Everyone is just traumatised by it.' NSW Police Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said police were investigating if the murder was linked to organised crime. He said Mr Manassa was known to police but he was not a 'well-known' crime figure, and detectives had 'no idea' why he was targeted. 'The male and the location are known to police, so that will form part of our investigation,' Detective Superintendent Glasser said. 'This is serious, high level violence, which we can't tolerate, and our detectives with the assistance of the State Crime Command are throwing everything we have at this.' Police still are still working to determine if the two hooded attackers fled on foot or in a car and are urging any witnesses to come forward. 'The only description we have is that these two males were in dark clothing and last seen heading south on the Driftway Drive,' Detective Superintendent Glasser said. 'We do ask that anyone that may have CCTV or dashcam footage contact Crime Stoppers or Granville detectives.' Mr Manassa's family own a demolition company and the aspiring businessman had studied property economics at UTS. He described himself as a young businessman on a podcast last year and discussed his entrepreneurial endeavors and 'side hustles' like selling designer sneakers. 'I knew what I wanted to do for a long time. I wasn't concerned with much else,' he said. Forensic police were at the crime scene on Friday, taking pictures of a blood-stained driveway while they searched drains, gutters and bushland for a murder weapon.
News.com.au
15-06-2025
- News.com.au
Grisly discovery in western Sydney bushland
A woman's body was been found in bushland in western Sydney on Sunday after a passer-by made the grisly discovery. Police were called to reserve off Irwin Street at Werrington just after 1pm. The woman has yet to be identified, but is believed to be middle aged. Specialist police are on the scene and her cause of death has yet to be determined. 'The area of the reserve in question is quite isolated, it appears the body has been there for a period of time,' Detective Superintendent Trent King said. Police found other items, including clothing, around the body. Asked how long the body had been there, Supt King said: 'Certainly a period of time, it's very difficult to ascertain at this stage… We're hoping in the next couple of days through post-mortem examination and the (forensic examination of the scene), we will have further information about that. Police are working with the Missing Person's unit in an attempt to identify the woman. Witnesses have been urged to contact Nepean detectives or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
New appeal launched a week after police officer seriously injured in crash
A fresh appeal for information has been launched a week after a police officer was seriously injured in a car crash in Buckinghamshire. Pc Christopher Miller sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital in a critical condition, after the incident on the B416 Bells Hill at around 10.20pm on May 22. Thames Valley Police carried out checks with drivers at the scene of the crash on Thursday to ask if they saw anything on the night of the incident. Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Will Crowther said: 'Last night we carried out checks with drivers on the B416 Bells Hill, a week on from the scene of the road traffic collision that left Pc Christopher Miller with life-threatening injuries. 'We spoke to a number of motorists travelling along the route to ask if they recall seeing anything on the evening of 22 May. 'I want to use this opportunity to continue to appeal to anyone who has information or footage from the area but is yet to contact the force to please come forward. 'The vehicle involved was a white BMW, which will have been damaged after the incident. 'We are keen to understand where the white BMW was before and after the incident, so if you saw the vehicle or anyone in the vehicle, please contact us. 'If you saw any other vehicles that caught your attention in the area that night we would also be keen to hear from you. 'If you have any information or footage from the area then please contact us via our website or by calling 101, quoting investigation number 43250252869. 'I appreciate that sometimes people don't want to speak directly to police. 'Therefore, if you want to remain anonymous you can still provide information via independent charity Crimestoppers. 'They have a website where you can leave information or you can call them on 0800 555 111.' Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: 'Thames Valley Police has been shocked by the news of Pc Christopher Miller being seriously injured while carrying out his duties as a police officer. 'Pc Miller's family continue to be supported by our specially trained family liaison officers. 'Everyone within the force is thinking of Pc Miller, his family and colleagues within our Roads Policing Unit. 'As a force, we continue to support each other through this difficult time.' Simranjit Kajla, 28, of Lydford Avenue, Slough, has been charged with one count each of attempted murder, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance. He appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody to appear at Reading Crown Court on June 23. Three other people were arrested in connection with the crash. A 38-year-old man from Slough, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, has been released on police bail until August 23. A 43-year-old man from Slough, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice, has been released under investigation. A 37-year-old woman from Slough, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice, has been released on police bail until August 25.
