<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A conman is allegedly targeting locals in north-east </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> by pretending to collect donations for the families of slain police officers Neal Thompson and Vadm De Waart-Hottart.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are investigating reports of a man falsely claiming to be raising money on behalf of the Thompson and De Waart-Hottart families after the officers </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-dezi-freeman-probably-still-alive-criminologist-says/da70ae57-426b-4ba0-87ba-33a949c9a511" rel="" target="_blank" title="were allegedly gunned down by accused cop killer Dezi Freeman on August 26."><span>were allegedly gunned down by accused cop killer Dezi Freeman on August 26.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is alleged the man is posing as a Victoria Police officer and is attempting to obtain donation packages from locals and businesses ranging from $500 to $2500.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/charlie-kirk-shooting-updates-tyler-kirk-accused-text-exchanges-with-roommate-revealed/2bee0356-42eb-453f-8854-6374c18d6973" target="_blank"><strong><span>Texts between accused Charlie Kirk shooter and roommate revealed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He reportedly promised "business advertisement" in return for each donation, police said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Anyone who receives a call like this is urged not to make a payment and instead report the matter to police by calling or visiting their local police station," Victoria Police said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Victoria Police can confirm the only police-recognised fundraiser for officers and their families is Victoria Police Legacy."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-scammers-targeting-locals-pretending-to-be-thompson-de-waart-hottart-families/bb03d9d8-33bf-41cc-ac30-9d496e0609a5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-sprays-abc-reporter-over-hurting-australia/c8722ca3-cd47-4fe4-90af-6c791665e334" target="_blank"><strong><span>Albanese government backs ABC reporter blasted by Trump</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bhp-alliance-axes-750-jobs-blames-queensland-governments-mining-royalties/f9a1e1bc-8756-417c-ab8d-65a884583d77" target="_blank"><strong><span>BHP alliance axes 750 jobs, blames Queensland government's mining royalties</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The official Victoria Police Legacy fund has already netted $136,085 in donations at the time of reporting.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anyone with information can also contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>