The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has issued a warning to the Chinese community about a telephone scam targeting Chinese students in Australia.
The scam involves an automated telephone call to the student, who is deceived into believing that their family is under investigation in China, or that they may have been involved in a crime.
Once communication has started, the scammers ask the student to perform a series of actions and to tell no one. If the student doesn’t cooperate, they are told their families back in China will be harmed.
Simultaneously, the parents are contacted by the scammers and are convinced into believing that their child is being held against their will. Eventually, the student and the family are asked to transfer money to bank accounts.
The scam was detected in Canada last year and is now believed to be operating in Australia.
Further details of the scam can be found here. The Scamwatch website has information about scams in Chinese languages.
If you are concerned that your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service (IDCARE) here.
Curtin students can also access support via Curtin Connect or Guild Student Assist.
For full details about this scam, the Chinese Consulate Perth will be hosting a free information session about the scam for students at Curtin University this Friday 18 May 2018, 3.30 – 4.30pm in the Bankwest Theatre (Building 200A), Bentley Campus.
