A man has been charged following an investigation into a robbery during a private currency exchange in Sydney's west.
About 4.45pm on Tuesday 19 April 2022, police were called to Dartbrook Road, Auburn, following reports of an armed robbery.
On arrival, police were told a 26-year-old man had organised an in-person currency exchange via social media.
After attending the agreed location and handing over cash, he was allegedly threatened with a firearm and assaulted by a group.
The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before he was taken to Auburn Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a 38-year-old man at Auburn Police Station about 4.50pm yesterday (Monday 5 February 2024).
He was charged with larceny value greater than $15,000, take or detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, use offensive weapon in company with intent to commit indictable offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others.
He was bail refused to appear before Burwood Local Court today (Tuesday 6 February 2024).
Inquiries are ongoing.
Auburn Commander, Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser, would like to remind the public to use the services of bona fide financial institutions if you need to exchange currencies.
"Do not share bank account or credit card details or personal identity information with anyone unless you can verify their identity.
"If your instincts tell you it's not right, stop and think before making a payment. There are no get-rich-quick-schemes; if it seems too good to be true – it probably is," he said.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
