The Mandarin-speaking community in Melbourne is being warned about an ongoing scam through phone calls and social media platforms like WeChat and WhatsApp.
The scam, which has been active since 2017, involves scammers impersonating government officials, courier services, or police officers in a bid to extort money from victims.
In recent months, the scam has expanded beyond Chinese students to include other members of the community.
Victoria Police has received nearly 200 reports of this scam in 2024, with an estimated loss of over $7 million.
The scam typically begins with a message or call claiming that the victim’s personal information has been compromised, followed by threats of arrest or legal action unless money is transferred to Chinese bank accounts.
In some cases, victims are instructed to create fake crime scenes, photograph themselves, and send the images to the scammers.
One recent victim, a 19-year-old woman from Carlton, was told her personal details had been leaked online and that she was implicated in a money laundering investigation.
She was pressured into asking her parents for $50,000 to clear the alleged warrant.
Similarly, a 41-year-old woman from West Melbourne was told her phone number was involved in illegal activities and transferred $57,000 to a Hong Kong account.
Detective Inspector Damien Jones of the Financial Crime Squad said: “If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Chinese government official, do not comply with their demands and never transfer money unless you made the call yourself.”
“We understand that victims may be hesitant to report these crimes to police, however Victoria Police will assist anyone who is being subjected to these scams.”
Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to this scam is encouraged to report it to Victoria Police or submit a confidential online report.
Further information is available on the Victoria Police website, as well as Scamwatch, which provides updates in Chinese languages.
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