Mandarin speaking students targeted in worldwide scam.
Here’s what you need to know...
Victoria Police has issued an urgent warning about a worldwide scam targeting the Mandarin-speaking community, specifically impacting international students in Australia.
The sophisticated scam involves pre-recorded messages in Mandarin left via voicemail on popular messaging platforms such as WeChat and WhatsApp.
The scam starts off like many others – but quickly escalates.
Victims will first receive messages claiming they have a parcel on hold, before they are coerced into transferring large sums of money under the false threat they have been involved in a crime.
The scammers then escalate the situation by threatening victims with fake kidnappings, deportation or arrest.
This alarming trend first emerged in July 2017 but disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It resurfaced after Chinese students returned to schools and universities.
…scammers employ a variety of tactics, often initiating contact through a pre-recorded phone message which tells the victim they have a parcel on hold..
How the Scam Operates
The scammers exploit the trust of unsuspecting students, leading them to believe they must comply with false demands to avoid severe consequences.
The scammers employ a variety of tactics, often initiating contact through a pre-recorded phone message which tells the victim they have a parcel on hold.
When victims respond to the call, they are connected to scammers posing as courier representatives.
The scammers then falsely claim that the victim is involved in a crime, or that a parcel intercepted in their name requires a large sum of cash to rectify the situation.
Red Flags and Prevention
To avoid falling victim to such scams, Mandarin speaking students have been advised to:
Hang up on suspicious calls: If someone claims to be a government official or police, especially if the call involves allegations of criminal activity, hang up the phone immediately.
Verify information independently: If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a call, contact the relevant government agency directly using information from reliable sources, not those provided by the caller.
Protect personal information: Never provide any personal information over a phone call unless you have personally called the real company.
What to Do if Scammed
In case a victim is scammed, they are urged to:
Report to police: If the scam involves extortion for sexual acts, report directly to the local police station.
Report the scam: If large sums of money are transferred, report the incident to cyber.gov.au for further assessment and investigation. Include detailed information such as communication records, screenshots, and transaction details.
Alert the bank or transfer service: If money has been transferred, ensure you contact the relevant financial institution immediately.
Stay informed, stay safe
If you have been scammed or know of someone who may have been scammed, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au
You can view the scam warning in Mandarin here.
For More Information
For ongoing awareness and information on scams in Chinese languages, visit the Scamwatch website.
Remember, being a victim or reporting a scam will not impact your visa status.