Source : Perth Now news
Victims have allegedly been scammed of more than $400,000 as part of “authority scams”, mainly targeting Chinese international students.
NSW police in Sydney’s inner city, south and east said they have received an increase in reports of scams where victims are being contacted by scammers claiming to be a Chinese police officer or from another “legitimate organisation”, before being threatened with arrest.
The victims are then told they need to transfer money or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest.
Police said a 22-year-old woman was contacted in May by someone claiming to be from a health insurance company in China.
“She was then transferred to another person claiming to be a Chinese police officer, who told her that her phone number was linked to a ‘known terrorist’ who was currently outstanding following financial crimes,” a NSW police spokesperson said.
“The woman was told that she would have a warrant for her arrest and her family would be arrested unless she transferred money.”
The victim reported a loss of more than $400,000.
A 23-year-old man reported a loss of $301,000 after being told he was a suspect in a money laundering case.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way that they target their victims,” Cybercrime squad commander detective superintendent Matthew Craft said.
“They will use a range of tactics to intimidate victims into acting quickly to make a payment, including threats of arrest.
“These threats may appear real, but they are not.”
Anyone who thinks they may have received a scam call should report it to the National Anti-Scam Centre, and who has fallen victim to a scam, is urged to report it via the ReportCyber portal.
Victims can also attend their local police stations to make a report or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
