Scam Call Alert

2018-06-22 17:00

The Embassy of the P.R.China, AFP and ACT Police are urging members of the Chinese community to be aware of the scams targeting Chinese nationals.

Recently, the Chinese Embassy in Australia, AFP and ACT police continue to receive reports of fraudulent calls from Chinese citizens. Scammers would call the victims by claiming to be officials from the Chinese Embassy or Consulates and then transfer the calls to'the police',while further inducing the recipient to transfer funds to the specified account.

The so-called Chinese officials claim that the victims are involved in theft, money laundering, fraud, and other criminal cases.They would threaten the arrest of the victim or their family unless a sum of money is electronically transferred.In some cases the victim is transferred to someone who claims to be a more senior official who then extorts more money.In extreme cases the scams have escalated to involve further ransom demands from the victim's family by fabricating a kidnapping.The scam has been reported across Australia and has now been reported in the ACT.ACT Police believe scammers may target the wider community.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia would like to remind Chinese citizens of your awareness of scam call. Please neglect unsolicited calls or e-mails. Please pay attention to the safety warnings released through website,wechat and blog issued by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Australia. Please click the following link to check the notification of ATC Police:

(https://policenews.act.gov.au/news/media-releases/scams-target-chinese-community)

If you feel that you may have been targeted or have any information that could assist police please go to your local police station or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website

(https://act.crimestoppers.com.au).Please quote reference 6277101. Information can be provided anonymously.

More information on ways to protect you from this scam can be found on the IDCARE website(https://www.idcare.org).Scams can be reported to ACORN(https://www.acorn.gov.au).

Help lines shown as below:

Police:131444

The Chinese Embassy in Australia: +61-02-62283948

The MFA of P.R.China:+86-10-12308 or +86-10-59913991