On Sunday, 1 March 2026, a mum from Bayview received a text from someone pretending to be her son.
They claimed their phone was broken and asked to borrow some money, with a promise to pay it back once the phone was fixed.
After exchanging text messages, the mum believed it was her son and sent almost $2,000 to an account.
The offender tried to extract more money, but her bank detected an anomaly and blocked the transaction. After the mum contacted her bank, she realised she was scammed.
Police said inquiries will continue to trace her money; however, the likelihood of recovering any is low.
This type of scam is commonly known as a “Hi Mum” scam and is fairly common and effective according to police. The seemingly genuine requests quickly switch to an air of urgency and a request for money.
For more information on this type of scam, please go to ScamWatch.
Motorcyclist charged with four and a half times over the legal limit
At about 8:30pm on Sunday, 1 March 2026, police were patrolling Warringah Road, Frenchs Forest, when their attention was drawn to a motorcyclist because of his manner of riding.
The 41-year-old local rider was stopped and underwent a roadside breath test that proved positive.
Police said he then underwent a breath analysis and returned a high-range reading of 0.234 that equated to four and a half times over the legal limit of 0.05.
The motorcyclist was issued with a Future Court Attendance notice for ‘Drive with high range PCA’ to appear at Manly Local Court on 15 April 2026.
His rider licence was immediately suspended by police.
Police targeted e-bike ‘Rideout’
On Saturday 28 February 2026, in response to a proposed ‘Rideout’ by e-bike riders, officers attached to Northern Beaches PAC and Northern Sydney Highway Patrol conducted a high-visibility operation targeting illegal e-bike riders and reckless riding, focusing mainly on parks, shopping districts and public roads North of Long Reef Golf course through to Mona Vale.
Three highway patrol vehicles, one highway patrol cycle and two Northern Beaches PAC officers were involved in the operation.
Police spoke to 68 people on e-bikes or e-scooters and issued 12 infringement notices and 18 verbal warnings for not wearing a helmet.
Further Northern Beaches operations under the name ‘E-Voltage’ will continue.
Textbook response to a sextortion attempt
On Valentine’s Day, a Narrabeen man in his sixties was contacted on an encrypted communications platform by an unknown person who sent a nude photo and requested one from the victim.
He sent an intimate photo and soon was met with a demand for $700 plus a $100 Apple gift card.
The victim shut down communications and did not send money.
Police said preliminary inquiries revealed the offender’s account is in Russia or Kazakhstan. The victim blocked the offender and did not hear from them again.
Police warn of an increase in car thefts
Northern Beaches Police Area Command has seen an increase in stolen cars and items stolen from cars, many being unlocked.
Police urge the community to lock their cars and remove all valuables.
If you see suspicious activity, report it to your local police station or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
