NSW cop stole thousands of dollars from elderly lady who he was meant to help ... trends now
A NSW policeman who was meant to help catch the criminals who stole $30,000 from an elderly woman instead ended up trying to rob her himself.
Sonia, 74, who asked for only her first name to be used as she feared being targeted again, was robbed by fraudsters pretending to be NBN workers in May 2021.
They convinced her to transfer $30,000 to them before she then reported the incident to her local police station after realising she was the victim of a crime.
The detective was sent to her home to help recover the money before he then tried to use her credit card and banking details and purchase almost $20,000 worth of goods including electronics and an Apple Watch.
He fronted Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday where his barrister tried to explain his client's behaviour saying he had gone 'off the rails' and fallen into a depression due to the nature of his work.
The detective stole a 74-year-old western Sydney woman's credit card details and tried to buy almost $20,000 worth of goods with it (stock image)
The detective went to her home several times to get the details of what happened, often wearing his full police uniform (stock image)
He was kidnapped, his house was shot at and his cover was blown and made known to criminals on an encrypted messaging app, the court heard.
In June 2021, the detective, who cannot be named, went Sonia's home several times to get the details of what happened, often wearing his full police uniform.
To gain her sympathy, he said he had a brain aneurysm and had not yet told his girlfriend or work.
According to police documents tendered to the court, she trusted him and he told her she 'reminded him of his own grandmother', the Daily Telegraph reported.
When he asked to see her online banking details, credit cards and passwords, Sonia gave them to him, assuming they were needed for his inquiries.
He told Sonia his girlfriend was calling him and she left the
