Two Whangarei women befriended an elderly woman suffering from dementia, took her money card and went on a $2059 spending spree.
In less than 30 minutes the women had used the card to buy food, petrol, cigarettes and withdraw cash. The duo have been described by those helping the elderly as "the worst of the worst preying on vulnerable people".
Elder Abuse Awareness week starts tomorrow (June 15 to 22) with Age Concern receiving more than 2000 referrals of elder abuse nationally a year.
Alzheimers Northland general manager Kevin Salmon said the theft from the dementia sufferer was an awful case but it was difficult to know how big the problem was in Northland, as very few cases made it to court.
"People with dementia are kind and trusting. It's awful that people will take advantage of them just to line their own pockets," Mr Salmon said.
"To steal from them is like taking money off a child. That's taking advantage of some one who is incapable of making a decision for themselves.''
Whangarei duo Charlene Patangata, 45, and Rangi Tamati, 23, gained the trust of a 76-year-old woman who was living on her own with dementia.
They have both pleaded guilty to 11 charges of using a document for pecuniary advantage. Patangata also admitted to a charge of theft. The pair have been remanded until July 28 for sentencing.
A summary of facts said in April this year Tamati had her 1-year-old daughter with her when she and Patangata went to the elderly woman's home and asked for money.
The elderly woman showed kindness and compassion and went with the duo to a service station in Kamo and withdrew $202.50, which she gifted to Tamati to help with petrol costs.
Patangata had seen the woman punching in the security numbers for the money card.
Thirteen days later Tangata returned to the woman's house under the guise of thanking her. However, Patangata asked to use the toilet and while in the house slipped into the bedroom and took the woman's wallet. She enjoyed a cup of tea before leaving to go on a spending spree with Tamati.
First they withdrew $1600 cash from at ATM at Whau Valley, then went to Kensington Pharmacy and bought a comb and withdrew $150 cash. A stop at Z service station saw them swipe the card again for $196 worth of petrol, cigarettes and oil.
To finish off they dined at Burger King and ate their way through $60 worth of food.
Tamati told police she thought the money was a gift from Patangata and that the card also belonged to Patangata.
Police said it was tragic incident but a graphic reminder that older family members could easily be tricked, be too trusting and then become victims of crime.
For details of how to stop elder abuse check out www.agewell.org.nz/health_elder_abuse.