Left: A working bee was held on Sunday for an elderly Dandenong woman deceived out of thousands of dollars. Detective Senior Constable Matt Lavery-Stephens, front, Detective Senior Constable Rick Mokos, Detective Senior Constable Nick Lamb and Detective Seargant MiroMajstorojvic were quick to pick up a paint brush. 70445
By Nicole Williams
VOLUNTEERS came from all walks of life to fix the home of an elderly scam victim on Sunday.
Volunteers from Dandenong Police, Greater Dandenong Council and local businesses picked up hammers and paint brushes to complete home repairs the 91-year-old Dandenong woman was promised last month.
She was fleeced out of thousands of dollars on August 12 after three or four men told her they would conduct maintenance on her David Street property and requested a deposit of $8000.
They drove her to the bank to withdraw the ‘deposit’ and after dropping her home, never returned to complete the work.
Detective Senior Constable Matthew Lavery-Stephens of Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit said the public and most officers in the Dandenong police station showed concern for the woman after the deceit and offered to help.
“I think it was the age of the victim that upset the community as the whole and we were inundated with calls of offers of assistance,” he said.
“We agreed to organise the parties to come together to get the work done. Pretty much every police member at Dandenong Police Station also showed concern and offered to help in any way they could.”
Fourteen CIU detectives, three uniform officers, council officers, community volunteers and construction workers from the local businesses gave up eight hours on Sunday to take part in the working-bee.
“The victim was overwhelmed with the public response,” Det Sen Const Lavery-Stephens said.
“She was very emotional and I think she had trouble expressing her gratitude.”
A builder oversaw the work, which included painting the eaves, fixing the guttering, preparing the gardens and installing a donated alarm system.
Greater Dandenong Council organised rubbish and asbestos removal and provided low-maintenance plants.
The Monaro Club also attended to provide food for the workers.
The investigation into the deceit is ongoing and police are still appealing for information.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
