Women 50-54 have been identified as the key targets for fraud

The Orange and Cabonne Shire Community Safety Precinct Committee meeting at the Orange Civic Centre was told on Thursday fraud was a problem in the region.

Central West Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Bruce Grassick said the frauds ranged from online and telephone scams to a spate of counterfeit notes being circulated in Orange.

He said there had been a shift in the age of the main victims with women aged 50-54 making up 60 per cent of all victims.

“Interestingly enough that percentage of victims has shifted from our 70 plus back to our 50s plus age group,” he said.

“It is still that older generation seeing that fraud being committed.”

Mr Grassick said there had been 37 instances of fraud in March this year and 20 in April. 

“Way back when robberies were committed they would go and use a gun and take money,” he said.

“They sit behind a computer nowadays. The penalties aren’t as severe but the rewards are a lot greater.

“We are working on a $4 million fraud at the moment, there are some considerable frauds going on out there.”

Mr Grassick said police had been successful in making arrests over fraud.

“Quite a number of people (12) have been charged in relation to frauds which is a good thing for us,” he said.

“We have actually been tracking very, very well with our fraud.

“In March we had a bit of an increase, we were actually getting a bit of circulation of counterfeit notes.

“There was an individual who was [allegedly] actively engaged in producing counterfeit notes.”

Mr Grassick said the man lived near Orange and had been arrested in a different area of NSW and would appear before the courts.

“He was [allegedly] producing counterfeit documents in his home,” he said.

He said Tuesday was the main day people reported frauds occurring.