A 21-year-old Auckland resident, Eyosiyas Tekeste, claimed in court that he was a low-ranking “foot soldier” in a scheme that allegedly scammed elderly victims out of over $200,000, primarily due to a drug debt. The amount he is accused of stealing has been reduced to approximately $76,000, and he has offered to repay $500. Judge Lisa Tremewan acknowledged Tekeste’s lesser role compared to others involved, suggesting he was not the mastermind behind the operation.
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