Aussies warned against drug mule scams

Australians are being warned of scams which could lure them into inadvertently becoming drug mules after an elderly man was charged with importing cocaine.

Australian Federal Police organised crime commander David Stewart has warned people to steer clear of any offer that sounds too good to be true, saying crime syndicates are using social media to target vulnerable Australians, particularly the elderly and mentally ill.

A 91-year-old Sydney man Victor Twartz was groomed online over a long period of time before he was allegedly caught carrying 27 bars of cocaine-filled soap from India, Mr Stewart told reporters in Canberra.