After an extensive investigation and a manhunt lasting over a year, while assembling the pieces of the "puzzle" and cross-referencing the modus operandi and collecting similar characteristics from dozens of fraud cases that occurred over a period of the last three years, the Israel Police officers succeeded in locating and arresting a serial suspect in a series of fraud and scam offenses that he committed throughout the country - including in the suburbs, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the south.
According to the suspicion, the suspect used to approach citizens, present himself as a reservist who was in financial distress because he had lost his wallet, and convince them to transfer money to him as a loan - and then disappear.
The scope of the fraud is estimated at a total amount of tens of thousands of shekels that the suspect pocketed.
The main file in the case revealed the method: The suspect had contact with a woman in a wheelchair and asked her for a loan of a few shekels due to a "jump" to the reserves.
Taking cynical advantage of her physical disability, he took her credit card to make a withdrawal for her from the ATM, then without her knowledge withdrew thousands of shekels, disappeared - and cut off contact with her.
The suspect was recently located and detained for questioning, through national cooperation with other police stations.
During his interrogation, he confessed to the acts attributed to him.
His detention has been extended from time to time at the request of the police, and today a prosecutor's statement is expected to be filed against him in preparation for the filing of a serious indictment and a request to detain him until the end of the proceedings.
""The Israel Police will continue to act decisively against criminals who exploit the good faith of citizens and harm vulnerable and helpless populations. The police will not let go of those criminals until they are brought to justice.""
