They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Helen Dimitrijevski, a Gold Coast woman once exposed in 1998 for orchestrating a love scam through her dodgy dating agency “TLC,” has been accused of running a similar scheme — this time allegedly involving her daughter Sophie.
Toowoomba resident Lex, 77, shared his story, saying he lost $42,000 after answering a lonely hearts ad placed in his local paper. Thinking he had found a potential partner named “Kate,” he instead found himself entangled in a well-coordinated scam that began with a $6,500 “agency fee” and escalated from there.
“It was very well put together,” Lex told A Current Affair. “I wasn’t the only goose.”
In reality, there was no “Kate.” Police allege it was all a front operated by Helen and Sophie Dimitrijevski. When their homes were raided, authorities reportedly found lists of victims and amounts swindled, as well as large quantities of cash.
Detective Sergeant Matt Hogan said the pair used emotional manipulation to convince victims they were investing in a shared future. “They make people believe this is a real relationship,” he said.
Court findings revealed 11 clients of Helen’s TLC agency paid more than $1.1 million collectively, receiving nothing in return. Helen had previously been permanently barred from working in the introductions industry, but according to investigators, she returned to old habits.
Among the victims:
A man from Western Australia who lost $100,000
A man from Far North Queensland who lost over $340,000
Helen and Sophie have entered justice mediation and agreed to repay some of the defrauded men.
“Hopefully they’ve learned their lesson,” Lex said.
