Grandfather accused of exploiting the tragic death of his three-year-old nephew to con family and friends out of an eye-watering $1.3million

A Sydney antheral has allegedly utilized his three-year-old grandson's accidental decease astatine a buying centre to scam his friends and household retired of $1.3million.

The 68-year-old's grandson died successful 2003 erstwhile helium fell from an escalator astatine Westfield Burwood buying centre successful the city's occidental suburbs. 

The antheral allegedly borrowed wealth from friends and household to wage for a suit against the buying centre and was granted a $400,000 payout successful 2007. 

In 2016, helium allegedly asked for much wealth arsenic though the suit were ongoing, and those who lent him wealth person ne'er been paid back.

Police person alleged the grieving granddad had amassed astir $1.3million implicit 8 years and assertion helium had since 'gambled a batch of the money'. 

The antheral was arrested astatine a portion successful Five Dock successful Sydney's inner-west connected Thursday. 

He was charged with 3 counts of dishonestly obtaining a fiscal vantage by deception. He faced Burwood Local Court aboriginal that day and was refused bail.