A 71-year-old Australian pensioner has been left homeless and is surviving on approximately $47 per fortnight after losing her entire retirement savings to an online scam. Sue McCracken, from Victoria, was seeking accommodation after her rental lease expired when she encountered a website advertising caravans.
Ms. McCracken purchased a 2017 Jayco Journey caravan for $9,300 from a site called VIC CAR DEALS, which she later discovered was a fraudulent operation. She stated that a woman from the company guided her through the purchasing process and provided a contract of sale. After receiving bank account details, Ms. McCracken transferred the funds, but the caravan was never delivered.
She expressed regret, saying she felt foolish but was in urgent need of housing. Ms. McCracken indicated that her reduced income of under $50 a fortnight is further strained by the cost of her husband's care, as he resides in a dementia ward. The couple, who have been married for 47 years, do not have children and Ms. McCracken has no other family to rely on.
The website was reportedly linked to an ABN listing two directors in Victoria who denied any knowledge of the scam and claimed their company details were stolen. Victoria Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 4. Officers believe other individuals may have also been targeted by the website, which offered discounted vehicles. The website has since been taken down, and no arrests have been made.
Ms. McCracken has launched a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $20,000. The investigation into the scam is ongoing.