In the quiet suburbs of Melbourne, residents are accustomed to the occasional doorbell ring signalling a delivery—perhaps a parcel from a distant friend or the latest online shopping splurge. But for one Melbourne man, Nick Simpson, a mysterious brown paper bag marked with the name ‘Spike’ left on his doorstep was a cause for alarm rather than excitement.
The incident, which unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Sunday evening, has put the community on high alert as it may signal the emergence of a new and unsettling scam. Simpson, his fiancée, and a friend were at home when they heard the doorbell. Expecting something innocuous like a dessert delivery, Simpson was puzzled to find a toasted sandwich in a brown paper bag with ‘Spike’ scrawled across it.
Choosing to ignore the unexpected delivery, Simpson left the bag on his step, only to find it ominously relocated to his front gate the following morning. This strange occurrence was enough to prompt Simpson and his fiancée to enhance their home security, fearing that this could be part of a broader, worrying trend known as ‘sweeping’.
Sweeping is a deceptive tactic where random items or packages are delivered to your door without your order. It might masquerade as an Amazon delivery, but the contents are often meaningless, like a bag of old clothes. The underlying motive, authorities suspect, is for criminals to gauge whether a house is occupied. If it appears vacant, it could become a target for burglary.
Victoria Police detective Charlie Bezzina expressed his concern on the matter, advising residents to be vigilant. If you notice a suspicious car or individual nearby, he recommends taking a photograph and alerting the police. The seemingly innocent act of delivering a paper bag could be a calculated strategy to assess the presence of homeowners. With the prevalence of food delivery services, a person carrying a paper bag is less likely to draw attention, providing a perfect cover for potential burglars to case a property.
This incident is a stark reminder to stay vigilant when it comes to unexpected deliveries. While it may seem harmless at first, tactics like ‘sweeping’ could indicate a larger security risk. As Detective Bezzina suggests, this ploy may not have a long shelf life once people catch on, but until then, it’s crucial to remain on guard.
Have you experienced a similar situation, or have you heard of this ‘sweeping’ trend in your area? Do you think scams like this are becoming more common? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going and help keep our communities safe!
Also read: A new online scam is spreading—here’s what you need to know
