Story Archive

Criminal Prodigy

A Melbourne, Vic., Australia, teen allegedly executed a series of frauds that would have put the most practiced con artist to shame — all before his 17th birthday. Police say the boy falsely reported a burglary, collected a A$39,000 (US$27,770) insurance claim he used for camera gear, a drone, and a down payment for a truck. He’s also alleged to have fraudulently rented cars and driven them without a license, faked a multinational corporation, and used fraudulent documents to get his new truck fitted with emergency lights, which he then used to respond to crash scenes, where other emergency workers didn’t realize he was not a legitimate responder. He faces 120 charges including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, attempting to obtain a financial advantage, making a false report, dealing with the proceeds of crime, theft, and unlicensed driving. “He is going to do well at whatever he does,” the magistrate said. “He is a highly productive young man, I have no doubt he will be a success ... we don’t want it to be criminal.” (MS/Australian Age) ...If he doesn’t join the police, he’ll beat them.