PHOTO: Savoy Real Estate’s Hayley Philpot
Melbourne Retiree Betrayed by Fraudster Who Stole Nearly $100,000 of Husband’s Superannuation
A Melbourne retiree has recounted the devastating experience of how a seemingly trustworthy, baby-faced fraudster managed to gain her confidence and ultimately steal almost $100,000 from her husband’s hard-earned superannuation.
Berwyn and Keith Bennett, who have been married for 60 years, have shared a long life together, but now, Mrs. Bennett carries the heavy burden of guilt for a crime she played no part in.
“The person that’s been hurt more than anything is my husband,” Mrs. Bennett said, her voice filled with regret. “I let him down. It’s not my money, it’s my husband’s money, his superannuation. He worked very hard for that.”
When the elderly couple could no longer manage living on their own in Yarra Glen, north-east of Melbourne, they made the difficult decision to sell their home. Keith, suffering from worsening dementia, needed to be placed in a nursing home, a heartbreaking necessity that left Mrs. Bennett overwhelmed.
The Bennetts turned to Savoy Real Estate agency in 2019, where they met sales agent Hayley Philpot. What began as a professional relationship quickly turned into betrayal as Philpot manipulated the situation to steal their savings. Gaining the 83-year-old’s trust, Philpot sold the Bennett home and took on the role of a trusted friend.
“I thought she was a friend,” Mrs. Bennett said. “She all of a sudden was there and doing everything, driving us to nursing homes around the place.”
Trusting Philpot implicitly, Mrs. Bennett appointed her as power of attorney to assist with everyday expenses. Unbeknownst to her, Philpot was using the couple’s money for her personal indulgences, splurging on shopping sprees and even purchasing a luxury car.
“She was always spending money and I was trying to work out where she got the money from… cashmere coats, hair and plaits, makeup,” Mrs. Bennett recalled. “She said she got it out of her account, not my account, her account.”
The truth came to light when Mrs. Bennett requested a bank statement and discovered the extent of Philpot’s deception. She learned that Philpot had used her power of attorney status to access their internet banking, set up tap and go payments on her phone using Mrs. Bennett’s debit card, and redirected bank statements to her own address to keep the retiree in the dark.
Between May 2020 and August 2021, Philpot made 98 transactions, spending at Officeworks, Zara, JB Hi-Fi, Nandos, and even making multiple payments to Mercedes-Benz for an A180 model car. The final blow came on July 30, 2021, when Philpot transferred $40,000 from Mrs. Bennett’s account to herself, claiming it was at Mrs. Bennett’s request while Centrelink audited her account.
The Bennetts entrusted Savoy Real Estate’s Hayley Philpot to sell their home. (Nine)
When confronted, Philpot denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Mrs. Bennett had authorized every transaction. “I didn’t take anything that she didn’t say yes to,” she said during a police interview. “With permission, I didn’t think it was bad, because we’d organized for me to set up to make payments back. It wasn’t like I went behind her back and said, ‘I’m going to rob this old lady.'”
Mrs Bennett said she trusted Philpot enough to appoint her power of attorney to help the elderly couple with everyday living expenses. (Nine)
Despite her denials, Philpot eventually pleaded guilty to stealing $98,844.80. However, the ordeal left Mrs. Bennett feeling angry, upset, and burdened with self-blame. “I was an easy target because I was on my own, I had no relations, family, nothing. There was just me and Keith,” she lamented.
In April, Philpot was sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to repay Mrs. Bennett. Yet, she has lodged an appeal, fighting for a lighter sentence, meaning she has yet to serve any time behind bars.
When she was eventually caught out, Philpot denied any wrongdoing, telling them Mrs Bennett had authorised every transaction. (Nine)
“Deep down, I knew something was wrong. I should have done something,” Mrs. Bennett said, still haunted by the experience. “I felt stupid, I was so stupid. I still blame myself. Just be careful of who you trust and don’t lend anyone any money, ever.”
As of now, Philpot has repaid $30,000, with her appeal scheduled to return to court on September 24.
SOURCE: NINE