Chinese international students targeted in spate of ‘authority scams’
Victims were allegedly defrauded of more than $400,000 in an “authority scam” that primarily targeted Chinese international students.
Police in inner Sydney, southern and eastern NSW said they had received an increase in reports of scams in which victims were contacted by fraudsters claiming to be a Chinese police officer or from another “legitimate organisation” before being threatened with arrest.
Victims are then told they must transfer money or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest.
In May, a 22-year-old woman was contacted by someone claiming to be from a health insurance company in China, police said.
“He was then transferred to another person who claimed to be a Chinese police officer, who told him the phone number was linked to a ‘known terrorist’ who was currently outstanding for financial crimes,” a NSW police spokesman said.
“The woman was told that an arrest warrant would be issued for her and that her family would be arrested unless she sent money.”
The victim reported more than $400,000 in damages.
A 23-year-old man reported losing $301,000 after being told he was a suspect in a money laundering case.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they target their victims,” said chief detective Matthew Craft, cyber crime squad commander.
“They will use a variety of tactics, including threats of arrest, to scare victims into acting quickly to get them to pay.
“These threats may seem real, but they are not.”
Anyone who thinks they may have received a scam call should report it to the National Anti-Fraud Center, and those who have been the victim of a scam are encouraged to report it through the ReportCyber portal.
Victims can also report to their local police station or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
