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A Rotorua woman has been jailed for 18 months after admitting she conned an elderly man out of his life savings.
Joanna Smith, 26, swindled the man out of $85,000 by telling him elaborate lies - including that she needed two kidney transplants and one of her children had a tumour, the Rotorua Daily Post reported.
The man, who has since died, gave her his life savings and investment money and took out loans on his property to get more money for Smith, who also gained control over his will.
Smith pleaded guilty in Rotorua District Court last week to fraud and gaining money by deception.
Judge Phillip Cooper called what she did a serious breach of trust and sentenced her to 18 months' imprisonment.
- NZPA
