Badge Constructions among building firms targeted by fraudsters using sophisticated email scam

AN Adelaide builder has been targeted by scammers in an online scam targeting construction companies.

SCAMMERS are targeting building companies in an attempt to steal money from unsuspecting clients.

Adelaide firm Badge Constructions this week issued a warning to its staff and clients advising that scammers had sent out fraudulent emails, which include Badge staff signatures, informing clients of a change to account details for progress payments.

A company spokeswoman told The Advertiser that it had caught the scam early enough and that no clients had been affected.

But The Advertiser has learned that the scammers have succeeded in stealing a six-figure sum from an ACT-based firm which sent the funds to a bogus account of Hind`marsh Builders in NSW.

Master Builders of SA has distributed a warning to its members to delete any emails they suspect to be bogus.

The ACC said scammers swindled nearly $4.7 million from Australian businesses in 2017 — a 23 per cent increase on 2016.

Scams can be reported to www.scamwatch.gov.au