Police warn over new scam targeting students after reported losses of more than $400,000

The alleged “authority scam” appears to target members of the Chinese community, who allegedly pose as Chinese police or authorities before telling the person they are suspected of committing crimes or threatened with arrest.

Victims are targeted via multiple phone apps, including WeChat.

On May 3, a 22-year-old woman reported losses of more than $400,000 after saying she was contacted by Chinese police, who said she was associated with a “known terrorist.”

The woman was then told that she would receive an arrest warrant and that her family would be arrested unless she transferred money.

Chief Inspector Matthew Craft of the Cybercrime Squad said scammers are “becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way they target their victims”.

“They will use a range of tactics to intimidate victims into taking quick action and making a payment, including threats of arrest.”

Police have urged people who believe a potential scammer has contacted them to report it to the National Anti-Scam Center.

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