A South Korean man on a working visa is behind bars in Canberra after he allegedly swindled an elderly woman out of more than $363,000, then tried to leave Australia.
Byung Uk Cho, 27, was arrested at Sydney Airport last weekend while preparing to board a flight to his homeland.
Following his extradition from NSW, he appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with 27 fraud offences.
In a statement, police said they began investigating Mr Cho in March, when a now 89-year-old woman reported several suspicious transactions from her bank account.
"The investigation revealed transactions commencing in June 2019, where money was transferred out of the woman's account," the statement said.
"Police will allege a total of $363,020 was taken from the victim."
Mr Cho did not apply for bail or enter pleas when he appeared in court on Wednesday, and no details of his alleged crimes were discussed.
Duty lawyer Taden Kelliher said he had advised Mr Cho to make an application to Legal Aid.
Mr Kelliher told the court the South Korean national had "a limited ability to understand English" and would require an interpreter for future appearances.
He also took the opportunity to warn police officers sitting in the public gallery against visiting Mr Cho in Canberra's jail, saying the 27-year-old did not wish to be interviewed by investigators.
Magistrate James Stewart remanded Mr Cho in custody to appear in court again on November 5.
