The Hastings Budget Advisory Service is concerned at the activities of a middle-aged woman in Hastings who fleeces vulnerable men.
Service co-ordinator Greta Wham said the latest incident she knew of involved a man who bought the woman numerous household items on hire-purchase in his name.
She then sold everything and disappeared, leaving him liable for the lot.
Mrs Wham said the woman also managed to persuade some men to let her act as an agent for them and pay their benefits into her bank account.
Another man lost his meagre life savings to the woman, she said.
The woman found her victims in bars around Hastings and seemed to know exactly who was lonely and in need of company.
"She seems to play to men's protective instincts," Mrs Wham said. The woman was plausible, manipulative and clever.
Mrs Wham said she knew of at least four men who had fallen victim.
The woman moved house often and was difficult to trace. She was now believed to be in Taradale.
Her victims were too embarrassed to go to the police and she always managed to persuade them to do what she wanted without deception or force.
"It's a cruel and callous thing to do," Mrs Wham said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Wilkinson, of the Hastings police, said his staff were not aware of the woman's activities, but would like to hear from anyone who had fallen victim to her.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
Hastings woman fleecing lonely men, says advisor
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