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Two charged, two wanted for alleged NSW car park scams
Two men face 72 charges each after allegedly targeting elderly women using a distraction scam across NSW shopping centre car parks, police said.
- On Wednesday, New South Wales Police arrested Gheorghe Toma, 57, and Mihai-Danut Ciuca, 37, after charging them over an alleged statewide scam targeting elderly drivers in shopping-centre car parks across New South Wales between January 3 and January 7, 2026.
- Police allege one man approached elderly female victims claiming a car issue and asked them to raise the bonnet while an accomplice stole valuables from the vehicle interior.
- When searching their vehicle, police allegedly seized vehicle wires, international passports, phones, a laptop, receipts and $6,000 in cash, with each man charged with over 70 offences.
- The pair will front Bail Division Court on Thursday, police said, and images of two men wanted for questioning have been released appealing to the public to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
- Police have recorded 18 similar incidents across NSW, with Riverina region heavily targeted in Wagga Wagga, Tumut, Goulburn and Yass; Superintendent Andrew Spliet urged local communities and older residents to remain vigilant.
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23 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left10Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Left
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources lean Left
66% Left
L 66%
R 27%
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