Charges laid after 'fake police officer defrauded Sydney business owner'

A man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly posed as a police officer and defrauded a Sydney businessowner.

The 51-year-old from Yagoona, near Bankstown, is accused of impersonating an officer in June this year and persuading a 36-year-old Redfern man to pay him a large sum over a two-week period.

Police claim the sum was requested in return for a promise of "assistance".

They say the Yagoona man pressed the businessowner for additional money afterward, going on to claim that he had cancer.

Authorities subsequently launched an investigation, resulting in the arrest of the 51-year-old about 9.30am yesterday.

The alleged fraudster was charged with six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage and impersonating a police officer.

He was refused bail and will face Parramatta Bail Court today.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au