Identity thief takes $200,000

Police are warning people to report lost identification immediately, after more than $200,000 was stolen from a Dandenong man earlier this year. In what police have called “identity theft”, a male in his late 20s withdrew a cheque from the victim’s account using the victim’s learner’s permit on March 12. Later that day the cheque was deposited in an account falsely established in the victim’s name. Three days later the cheque was withdrawn as cash. Detective Senior Constable Kane Taylor of Greater Dandenong CIU said the account was opened on March 4, the same day the victim lost his identification. The man police want to speak with is of southern European appearance and was wearing workman’s clothes.