A Victorian man has been arrested and charged by police after allegedly defrauding his mother of more than $1 million.
The 64-year-old Elwood man is accused of misappropriating $1.145 million of his mother's money, sending it from her account to his own over a four-year period between 2014 to 2018.
It is also alleged the man used the 83-year-old Gold Coast woman's debit card to make a further $150,000 in unauthorised purchases or withdrawals for his own use, leaving the woman's account near empty.
Detective Acting Inspector Adam Bennett of the Queensland Police financial cyber crime group said detectives were notified after receiving a complaint on behalf of the Office of Public Trustees.
"The man also never held any authority under enduring power of attorney to act on her behalf.
"On June 7, 2022, detectives travelled to Melbourne to execute a search warrant at an Elwood residence.
"Documents and items were seized and now form part of the investigation.
"The 64-year-old Elwood man was charged with one count of fraud, with a circumstance of aggravation for use of over $100, 000."
The man is set to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 4.
Elder abuse under reported
Speaking on Elder Abuse Awareness Day today, Detective Superintendent Lance Vercoe said many elder abuse matters went unreported.
"A lot of the times we will get reports from the Public Trustee or through some of our financial institutions, or it'll come from nursing staff," he said.
"What I will say to anybody who abuses our elderly or abuses our vulnerable people, we will pursue the full power of the law, the full extent of the law."
Detective Acting Inspector Bennett said people should be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour and never be afraid to report such offending, even if it is by a family member.
"So today being World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a timely reminder for our community to stay vigilant towards this type of offending and not be afraid to report it to the police or any other authorities," he said.
Detective Superintendent Vercoe said there were signs anyone could look out for in elderly friends and family.
"Changing their will, without a real indication as to why, change in spending habits, changing eating habits, the inability to pay for medication or food, those sorts of things," he said.
"If you think anybody has been subject of elder abuse, I can only encourage you to contact the Queensland Police Service, or contact the Queensland government's elder abuse hotline.
"If you've got any concerns, make that call and seek advice."
