Police in Victoria are probing an audacious and intricate scam targeting an inner-city Melbourne wellness centre, where a stolen mobile phone was used to impersonate the business owner and defraud clients.
The Elaborate St Kilda Clinic Heist
The unusual crime unfolded at the Zhong Centre Wellness Hub in St Kilda on Sunday morning. Security cameras captured a woman stealing the clinic's dedicated business mobile phone. However, this was far from a simple grab-and-sell theft.
In a brazen twist, the alleged thief used the device to launch a phantom version of the legitimate business. Posing as the clinic's owner, known as Dr Abbie, the scammer began texting the clinic's customer list from the stolen phone. The impersonator, calling herself 'Annie', took bookings and then charged clients bogus cancellation fees.
Convincing Messages and Fake Payment Demands
The scam was executed through a series of convincing text messages that directed customers to pay fees into a personal PayID account controlled by the scammer.
One message read, "The cancellation fee will be $100. If you can't afford it, just let me know and we'll make a payment plan." In a further attempt to appear legitimate, the fraudster even offered 'discounts' on the fake charges, with another text stating, "It's actually meant to be $200, but I have you a discount due to confusion on my end."
The scammer's confidence was highlighted when 7NEWS contacted the number to book an appointment. The response was immediate: "Yeah, sure, what time tomorrow? Can you prepay and send a screenshot of the receipt, please," the impersonator replied.
Clinic Owner's Reaction and Police Probe
For the real owner, Dr Abbie, the offence of impersonation cut deeper than the theft itself. "I think I'm more offended that people think she's me," she said. Responding to the scammer's audacity, Dr Abbie remarked, "She thinks it's her business now. I'm just like, cool, do your five years Chinese medicine study and come work for me then."
While the exact amount stolen remains unclear, the rightful business owner is determined to see the perpetrator face consequences. "I'm really open to the pettiest way that I can get back at this person," she stated, even encouraging nuisance calls to the number to disrupt the operation.
Victoria Police are continuing their investigation into the elaborate fraud. The case serves as a stark warning to small businesses about the security of their communication devices and client data.
