Scammers are increasingly using a range of alarming tactics to threaten, intimidate and steal from Chinese students living and studying in Australia, the National Anti-Scam Centre has warned.

Reports of scammers posing as Chinese police to target young people studying in Australia more than doubled in August, compared with previous months. Since the beginning of the year, there have been a total of 1,244 reports and $8.7 million in losses to this scam.

“We are very concerned by the rising number of reports we have had from Chinese students, who are understandably terrified by the threatening nature of these scams,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

How the Scam Works

A scammer will contact the victim via phone, pretending to be from a phone company or financial institution and inform them that their phone or identity is being used in a scam or serious financial crime. When the victim states they are not involved, they are transferred to another scammer impersonating the Chinese police. The number seen on caller ID during the transfer will seem to be the official police phone number as scammers are using telephone spoofing technology.

The scammer claims the victim may be deported or extradited. However, the victim is offered the chance to remain in Australia while the investigation takes place, on the condition of payment. The scammers will often create and show the victim fake documentation such as arrest warrants to convince them of their claim’s legitimacy.

This scam often involves many calls from different people and sometimes video calls with what appear to be Chinese police. There have also been reports of a person dressed as a police officer visiting the Australian homes of the victims to deliver documentation.

“This type of scam is highly sophisticated and convincing because it involves multiple perpetrators who play on their victim’s fears by threatening them and their family with years of jail time,” Ms Lowe said.

One victim paid over $400,000 to the scammers after he was told he was going to be arrested. The scammers claimed he was under constant surveillance and instructed to have Facetime open 24 hours a day.

Warning Signs

• You are contacted by someone claiming to be from a phone company, bank, government department, or trusted company.
• The caller claims that someone is using your identity or accuses you of being involved in a serious criminal matter.
• You are told you need to prove your innocence.
• You are threatened with legal action, arrest, or deportation.
• The caller tells you to pay a fee, fine, bond or bail money.
• You are told not to speak about this with anyone.
• You may be told to keep your camera on as you are under surveillance.
• The caller may ask for your personal information.

Protect Yourself

• Don’t be pressured by a threatening caller – hang up and don’t respond.
• If someone tells you that you are being investigated, speak to the local police in Australia, the international student support body of your university or your local Australian-Chinese community support service.
• Don’t engage with the caller and do not follow their instructions.
• If you are concerned for your safety, contact the police immediately by calling 000.

STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure. Scammers will try to verify who you are or use fear to make you believe their story. Don’t rush to act.

THINK – Ask yourself could the call be fake? Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Contact the organisation using the contact information you source independently.

PROTECT – Contact the police if you have been harassed or intimidated and your bank if you have lost money to a scammer. Seek help from IDCARE and report the scam to Scamwatch.

 

Source:

Scamwatch