Telemarketing scam targeting Chinese community
SCAMwatch,
18 April 2008
SCAMwatch is warning members of Australia's Chinese community to beware of scammers posing as market researchers from Hong Kong.
SCAMwatch understands that scammers are cold-calling Australians
with Asian-sounding names and asking them to participate in some market
research. The scammers tell many stories, but often say they are
considering opening new branches of their electrical, investment or
travel businesses in Australia.
As a reward for participating, consumers are entered into a lucky
draw with the chance to win great prizes. Several days later, the
scammer contacts the consumer again to notify them that they have won a
cash prize and tell them what they must do to claim it. Sometimes this
involves checking a website or attending a function, but it nearly
always involves making an upfront payment to have the prize money
released. The payment could be to cover anything from taxes, to
insurance, to legal fees.
But the scammers don't just ask for one upfront payment – they will
continue to ask for more payments, only stopping when consumers realise
they have been scammed. Unfortunately, many victims have already sent
thousands of dollars and very personal details before they realise.
The scammers have already snared victims across the country and
SCAMwatch urges you to warn your family, friends and colleagues who
might be at risk. SCAMwatch has also issued this scam alert in Chinese
to help raise awareness. While the scammers are reported to speak
Mandarin and Cantonese, even if you speak fluent English, you could
still be a target.
If you have received a prize offer and
suspect it could be a scam, or if you have sent money to claim a prize
which you now realise is a scam, you can report a scam through SCAMwatch or call the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.
http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/732372
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