In a tale that reads like a crime novel, 73-year-old Patricia Evans has been unmasked as the architect of a 'web of deceit' that preyed on the elderly, stripping them of their hard-earned savings and superannuation.

The South Australian District Court has now sentenced Evans to a substantial period behind bars, highlighting the severity of her crimes and the impact on her victims.

Between May 2010 and August 2018, Evans, exploiting the trust and vulnerability of her elderly victims, engaged in a calculated scheme of theft and aggravated theft.


Evan's actions were not of a desperate individual making a one-time mistake but of a seasoned 'con artist' who systematically swindled more than $270,000 from unsuspecting seniors.

The court proceedings revealed a chilling narrative of exploitation, where Evans, despite being on a disability pension and bankrupt, managed to siphon off up to $4.2 million from three victims alone.


However, the charges brought before the court pertained to a fraction of that amount, totalling $272,463.

In presiding over the case, Judge Michael Durrant clearly disapproved of Evans' lack of 'contrition' and her 'hollow' claims of remorse.

It was evident to the court that Evans' deceitful actions were deliberate and sustained, causing not only financial but also emotional devastation to her victims and their extended families.


Evans was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison, with a five-year non-parole period.

This sentence, backdated to May 2022 when Evans was taken into custody, ensures that she will remain incarcerated until at least 2027.

The judge's decision reflects the gravity of the offences and the need to protect the community, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, from such predatory behaviour.

The court heard that Evans offered no legitimate explanation for her actions, instead attempting to deflect blame by claiming she was helping others and had become entangled in her web of deceit.

Her refusal to disclose the whereabouts of the stolen money further demonstrated her lack of cooperation and decency, a point underscored by her history of non-cooperation with her bankruptcy trustee over nearly two decades.


Judge Durrant's assessment of Evans' prospects for rehabilitation was grim.

'You seek to deflect your actions by saying it was to help … and that it was beyond your control, and you got tangled in a web of deceit,'

He found her to be at high risk of reoffending, underscoring the importance of a custodial sentence not only as punishment but also as a protective measure for society.

'Your lack of contrition and insight, as I have found and all the circumstances noted, cause me to conclude you have poor prospects of rehabilitation and that you are at high risk of reoffending,' he continued.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of financial fraud, you must report the matter to the authorities immediately.

You can also visit our Scam Watch forum for the latest updates on current scams.

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