Shocking family betrayal: Son scams his own dad out of $150k in Centrelink pension payments
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Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we frequently share uplifting stories of acts of kindness and love within families, but today we have a rather distressing incident to report involving an outrageous family betrayal.In a shocking and convoluted scheme that has left us all perplexed, a Melbourne man named Peter Michael Baird scammed his very own father out of over $150,000 in Centrelink payments – money that his father relied upon through his age pension payments.
This story serves as an unsettling reminder that scams can come from anyone, even those we trust the most – such as our own family members.
This is a shocking tale of betrayal by a son. Credit: Shutterstock
Baird, aged 50, began deceiving his unsuspecting father back in 2012, when his dad turned to him for assistance in unlocking a frozen bank account.
His father must have thought, 'Who better to trust than my own flesh and blood?'
Little did he know that instead of helping his dad, Peter Baird applied for two loans in his father's name, amounting to over $77,000. It only got worse as Baird contacted Centrelink to have his father's age pension payments redirected to his personal bank account.
From June 2013 to May 2020, Baird deceitfully pocketed a whopping $152,423.33 in payments that should have gone to his father.
Whenever his father inquired about his locked bank account, the scheming son would claim he was working with the ombudsman and government officials to resolve the problem.
To make the deception more convincing, Peter Baird went so far as to impersonate various politicians and government personnel. His father received frequent calls and emails that appeared to be from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, then-Finance Minister Robin Scott, MP Kim Wells, and the Victorian Ombudsman themselves.
The truth finally came to light when, after contacting these offices directly, the pensioner discovered there was no record of any correspondence on his behalf.
His son's web of lies unravelled in May 2020 when he was jailed for a separate series of deceptions. In court, Baird pleaded guilty to obtaining financial advantage and property by deception.
On Tuesday, the Victorian County Court sentenced the scamming son to four years in jail for his reprehensible actions.
Judge Frank Gucciardo labelled Baird's actions as 'defying decency' and in violation of 'fundamental principles of trust and familial care, respect and responsibility’.
Baird's father was forced to seek part-time work and rely on financial support from his partner – causing undue stress, as noted by Judge Gucciardo.
Although Baird showed some remorse and had no drug, alcohol or gambling problems, the judge stated his prospects for rehabilitation seemed uncertain and the severe conduct merited punishment.
The son will be eligible for parole after serving three years and three months in custody.
Our hearts go out to the betrayed father who suffered greatly due to his son's greed and deception.
Remember, dear members, scams are everywhere, and we must always remain vigilant. It's a devastating reality, but even those we trust most can potentially betray us.
This news is hard to believe and we would like to hear your thoughts on this in the comments section below.
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