A war veteran was allegedly scammed out of $18,000 by a teenager posing as a Commonwealth Bank security officer.
The nightmare for Shane Arnold, 71, began in October last year when he received a fake email from an account posing as Netflix, telling him he was owed a refund and to enter his personal details.
Kahlid Mahamud, 19, from Braybrook, in Melbourne’s west, allegedly called Mr Arnold the next day, posing as a CBA worker.
He allegedly told the grandfather that his bank accounts had been compromised and that he needed to throw his bank cards in a bag, which would then be picked up by a driver.
Shane Arnold, 71, was allegedly robbed of $18,000 from a teenager posing as a Commonwealth Bank security officer.
Mr. Arnold said nine news the scammer was “very convincing” and spoke with an English accent.
Mahamud had allegedly used artificial intelligence to disguise his voice.
‘I’ve worked for 50-odd years to get that money. He took it in one day,” Mr Arnold said.
“I felt like my heart had been ripped out.”
After Arnold gave up his bank cards, Mahamud allegedly went on a massive shopping spree.
He allegedly withdrew thousands of dollars at ATMs in Melbourne and also bought PlayStation and Apple gift cards at a Kmart in Moonee Ponds.
Mahamud also allegedly stole fuel from an Ampol in Footscray, along with strawberry milk and Magnum ice cream, according to court documents seen by Daily Mail Australia.
He also allegedly bought a new iPhone for $2,849.
Mahamud has been charged with dishonestly obtaining property, attempting to obtain property by deception, obtaining property by deception and handling proceeds of crime.
When confronted by a Nine News reporter outside court earlier this month, Mahamud, who was wearing a black Nike tracksuit, laughed.
Arnold said the CBA had refunded him $1,000.
“The CBA recognizes the financial and emotional toll scams have on customers and the community,” a CBA spokesperson said.
“Scammers pose as well-known companies to trick you into sharing your personal information.”
Kahlid Mahamud, 19, has been charged in connection with the incident and was seen laughing outside the court earlier this month.
The spokesperson urged customers to verify the identity of the organization by calling them directly through an independently verified number.
CBA also launched a new scam detection initiative called CallerCheck.
The feature allows customers to verify whether a caller claiming to be from CBA is legitimate by triggering a security message in the CommBank app.
“We review scams on a case-by-case basis, but it is widely recognized that they are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” the spokesperson said.
‘CBA encourages people to be vigilant when asked to send money and adopt Stop. Check. Decline. when evaluating payment requests.
‘If you think you have been scammed or if you notice an unusual or missed transaction, contact your bank immediately.
‘Mr Arnold’s case is currently being handled by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). The CBA actively participates in the AFCA complaints process.’
