Police have arrested an alleged fraudster who sold fake puppies online and pretended to be from the tax office to swindle nearly $300,000.
The 32-year-old man from Deer Park, in Melbourne's west, has been charged with obtaining property by deception, possessing the proceeds of crime and using a fraudulent document.
Detectives said 109 people were defrauded a total of $295,705 between April 2018 and September 2021.
Police allege the man advertised puppies for sale on an online marketplace and used stolen identities to obtain bank accounts for prospective buyers to transfer money into.
He was also alleged to have pretended to be from the Australian Tax Office and from a mobile phone company in order to scam people.
The man will face Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Police have reminded people buying dogs online not to hand over any money until they can see the animal in person.
They have also warned people to be wary if someone claiming to be from a mobile phone company requests they download an application on their phone.
Victoria Police has urged anyone who thinks they have been the victim of a scam to report it at www.cyber.gov.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
