String of charges for Albany woman who allegedly stole $25,000 from elderly and vulnerable in ‘heinous’ fraud

A 23-year-old woman has been hit with fraud charges after she allegedly stole at least $25,000 from elderly and vulnerable victims in Albany. In what police have described as “heinous” behaviour, it will be alleged Rochelle Phyllis Arends targeted elderly and vulnerable victims between September 2020 and May 2021, making ATM withdrawals against their wishes and accessing internet banking to make cash transfers. Police say she also befriended victims and stole property from their homes. The Spencer Park woman was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with 11 counts of fraud and seven counts of stealing. Detective Acting Inspector Darryl Noye said Ms Arends was targeting people who had “worked their whole life to save money”. “We would allege she offers a reason to these gentlemen as to why she needs money and preys upon their good nature and their vulnerability as being elderly and wanting to look after people in the community,” he said. “We’d be alleging the lady is not being forthright in regards to the reasons that she is asking for this money and the victims are feeling sorry for her and this has been an influence in them handing over money for a purpose that is not truthful.” Acting Insp. Noye said the police investigation was ongoing and anyone with information should contact police. “We would appreciate families who do have elderly parents to check in with them and make sure that someone is not taking advantage of them in regards to where their savings might be disappearing from their bank accounts,” he said. “If they do notice that their parents are no longer living the same lifestyle or have money missing from their account that should be there, then we ask them to come forward to the Albany police station so we can undertake a further investigation.” Earlier this week, Albany police issued a public call for information about a young woman who was targeting vulnerable residents for money, saying some people were “living in fear because of her, especially the elderly”. Ms Arends is due to appear in the Albany Magistrates Court next Thursday.