A Canberra childcare worker is accused of taking more than $61,000 from a man in an alleged online dating scam which police say may involve up to 23 other victims.
Appearing in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, Crystal Lee Lancaster, 26, was charged with 24 counts of obtain property by deception.
The court heard police raided her Dunlop home this morning, seizing her phone and laptop.
It is alleged one victim deposited just over $61,000 into Ms Lancaster's bank account between October 2015 and April 2016, with amounts ranging from $250 up to $15,000.
The court was told it is believed Ms Lancaster stole an identity off Instagram and then used a dating app to organise transfers of money into her bank account.
She allegedly told the victim she needed the money for a number of reasons including to pay for medical expenses.
The court heard police are investigating transactions as far back as 2010 and believe up to 23 more victims could be impacted, handing over up to $300,000.
The court was told so far about 15 different people had been identified as depositing a total of $106,000 dollars into her bank account.
The prosecution said Ms Lancaster had not been charged in relation to the other alleged victims, but the police investigation was ongoing.
The court was told the alleged offences could have impacted victims outside of the ACT, with one identified as living in Queensland.
Ms Lancaster's lawyer made an application for bail on her behalf, saying she acted in a caring role for her mother who has a serious medical condition and needed to be at home.
During the application Ms Lancaster was physically sick and vomited, telling the court she had been ill during the week.
The prosecution opposed bail and cited concerns around reoffending and interfering with witnesses.
Special Magistrate Ken Cush denied Ms Lancaster's application for bail.
The matter returns to court next month.
