Senior swindles $400K by telling ‘very sophisticated’ lies about cancer, family tragedy
- Replies 24
In a tale that reads like a crime novel, a senior’s web of deceit has left her community reeling and her closest friends betrayed.
Viviana Leonor Varas, a 63-year-old from Sydney, spun a series of elaborate lies, including a fake cancer diagnosis and the death of her mother from COVID-19, to con her closest friends out of nearly $400,000.
Driven by a gambling addiction, Varas convinced her victims to part with their hard-earned money under the guise of investing in a fictitious family trust in the United States.
The trust, she claimed, was established by a great-great-grandfather, and she promised lucrative returns on their investments.
Her victims, blinded by trust and the prospect of financial gain, handed over sums ranging from $32,000 to $145,000.
Among the victims was Varas' best friend, who had met her in 2016.
This friend shared that they trusted Varas to help with their young family and even knitted clothes for them.
‘She befriended me and built up that trust,’ the victim stated.
‘She just really integrated herself into my life and said, “You’re just like a daughter to me.” She just groomed me and at my most vulnerable time.’
Varas' first request for money was supposedly for storage costs, but it quickly escalated to significant investments in a non-existent trust in the US.
When the victim sought repayment for her $145,000 investment, Varas provided her with a $104,000 check, which bounced.
The victim then reported her to the police in May 2018.
The court heard that she hadn't followed up earlier because Varas had informed her that she had cancer and was undergoing treatment in the hospital.
‘None of this was true, she was not undergoing cancer treatment,’ Magistrate Christine Haskett of Downing Centre Local Court said.
She made elaborate claims to persuade her friends to give her money, including stating that she is a ‘former Wall Street exchange’ investor, a real estate mogul, and has a model daughter.
Another victim, who had sent about $100,000 in investment money to Varas, said: ‘It makes you feel really stupid.’
‘She makes it out that she’s a multi-millionaire and then when I spoke to her best friend’s family, she was just poor as anything. She’s done this to a lot of people,’ they added.
The impact of Varas' actions went beyond financial loss. One couple admitted to having suicidal thoughts after their $105,000 life savings were wiped out.
Their victim impact statement read: ‘They are no longer the optimistic people they once were.’
Varas' deceptions were met with a firm response from the legal system.
Despite her lawyer's attempts to downplay the severity of the crimes and to attribute them to an 'adjustment condition' following a lung cancer diagnosis, Magistrate Haskett was unmoved.
Magistrate Haskett pointed out that Varas quickly went into remission after her diagnosis and stated that this couldn't be used as an excuse for falsely claiming she was in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment in 2020.
Magistrate Haskett said: ‘[The lies] were very sophisticated. People were told lawyers and accountants were involved. Meetings never eventuated. The planning was well thought out.’
‘Lies about family trusts; lies that she worked on Wall Street. Documents that were promised but never produced. She told people she was arranging her mother’s funeral and she’s still alive,’ she added.
During the investigation, Varas told the police that her victims were aware of her gambling habit when they gave her the money. She claimed that she was attempting to ‘help them’ by gambling their money, but she denied having a gambling addiction.
‘The victim blaming is outrageous,’ Magistrate Haskett said. ‘She has little insight into the damage that she has done to her victims and that she disagrees with police facts.’
Varas has been sentenced to a year in jail. As part of her sentence, Varas was also ordered to pay back the costs. However, the court heard that she had ‘no assets’ to fulfil this obligation.
The court was informed that her long-term partner of 20 years recently ended their relationship due to her actions. As a result, her three children, including two grandchildren, have also stopped contacting her.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to financial dealings, even with those closest to us.
It's crucial to conduct due diligence and seek independent advice before making any significant financial decisions or investments.
Encourage open conversations about finances with your family members, especially those who may be more susceptible to such scams.
The case of Viviana Leonor Varas is a cautionary tale that highlights the need for awareness and education on financial scams. As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we must look out for one another and foster an environment where such deceitful acts are less likely to occur.
What advice would you give to others to protect themselves from such scams? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Viviana Leonor Varas, a 63-year-old from Sydney, spun a series of elaborate lies, including a fake cancer diagnosis and the death of her mother from COVID-19, to con her closest friends out of nearly $400,000.
Driven by a gambling addiction, Varas convinced her victims to part with their hard-earned money under the guise of investing in a fictitious family trust in the United States.
The trust, she claimed, was established by a great-great-grandfather, and she promised lucrative returns on their investments.
A 63-year-old woman fleeced almost $400,000 from her friends. Image source: Shutterstock
Her victims, blinded by trust and the prospect of financial gain, handed over sums ranging from $32,000 to $145,000.
Among the victims was Varas' best friend, who had met her in 2016.
This friend shared that they trusted Varas to help with their young family and even knitted clothes for them.
‘She befriended me and built up that trust,’ the victim stated.
‘She just really integrated herself into my life and said, “You’re just like a daughter to me.” She just groomed me and at my most vulnerable time.’
Varas' first request for money was supposedly for storage costs, but it quickly escalated to significant investments in a non-existent trust in the US.
When the victim sought repayment for her $145,000 investment, Varas provided her with a $104,000 check, which bounced.
The victim then reported her to the police in May 2018.
The court heard that she hadn't followed up earlier because Varas had informed her that she had cancer and was undergoing treatment in the hospital.
‘None of this was true, she was not undergoing cancer treatment,’ Magistrate Christine Haskett of Downing Centre Local Court said.
She made elaborate claims to persuade her friends to give her money, including stating that she is a ‘former Wall Street exchange’ investor, a real estate mogul, and has a model daughter.
Another victim, who had sent about $100,000 in investment money to Varas, said: ‘It makes you feel really stupid.’
‘She makes it out that she’s a multi-millionaire and then when I spoke to her best friend’s family, she was just poor as anything. She’s done this to a lot of people,’ they added.
The impact of Varas' actions went beyond financial loss. One couple admitted to having suicidal thoughts after their $105,000 life savings were wiped out.
Their victim impact statement read: ‘They are no longer the optimistic people they once were.’
Varas' deceptions were met with a firm response from the legal system.
Despite her lawyer's attempts to downplay the severity of the crimes and to attribute them to an 'adjustment condition' following a lung cancer diagnosis, Magistrate Haskett was unmoved.
Magistrate Haskett pointed out that Varas quickly went into remission after her diagnosis and stated that this couldn't be used as an excuse for falsely claiming she was in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment in 2020.
Magistrate Haskett said: ‘[The lies] were very sophisticated. People were told lawyers and accountants were involved. Meetings never eventuated. The planning was well thought out.’
‘Lies about family trusts; lies that she worked on Wall Street. Documents that were promised but never produced. She told people she was arranging her mother’s funeral and she’s still alive,’ she added.
The case was heard in Downing Centre Local Court. Image source: Go To Court Lawyers/YouTube
During the investigation, Varas told the police that her victims were aware of her gambling habit when they gave her the money. She claimed that she was attempting to ‘help them’ by gambling their money, but she denied having a gambling addiction.
‘The victim blaming is outrageous,’ Magistrate Haskett said. ‘She has little insight into the damage that she has done to her victims and that she disagrees with police facts.’
Varas has been sentenced to a year in jail. As part of her sentence, Varas was also ordered to pay back the costs. However, the court heard that she had ‘no assets’ to fulfil this obligation.
The court was informed that her long-term partner of 20 years recently ended their relationship due to her actions. As a result, her three children, including two grandchildren, have also stopped contacting her.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to financial dealings, even with those closest to us.
It's crucial to conduct due diligence and seek independent advice before making any significant financial decisions or investments.
Encourage open conversations about finances with your family members, especially those who may be more susceptible to such scams.
What advice would you give to others to protect themselves from such scams? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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