The suspect made the offer while the victim was standing next to his white van outside a business in Durgadin Drive, Albion Park, about midday on Thursday.

He told the victim he could get a pack of power tools for $400 from a friend who worked in a hardware store. The victim drove the man to the hardware store’s car park off Shellharbour Road, and gave him the cash.

The man left the van, but then returned, saying his friend was  in Warrawong. The victim  drove to Warrawong where the man left the vehicle, and  disappeared.