SA Police launch Scam Awareness Week after South Australians fleeced out of millions

Police have warned the public to be on the lookout for these red flags as the cost inflicted by callous con artists hits new highs.

Criminals targeting vulnerable victims scammed South Australians out of more than $2 million last year.

More than $40 million was fleeced from victims across Australia, with victims 55 and over suffering the highest individual losses.

Launching Scams Awareness Week on Monday, SA Police have issued new tips to avoid being left broken-hearted and out of pocket while sharing the details of a real case.

More than two years ago, a woman identified as Karen, of Adelaide started a relationship with a man who was allegedly living overseas.

Police say after weeks of online chat, Karen transferred a total amount of $50,000 into his bank account, which she believed was going towards his education.

Feature picture of a Visa card, computer mouse and keyboard for internet scam story. Photo: Derrick Den Hollander

When she travelled overseas to meet her online partner in person he did not turn up at the agreed location.

She ceased communication with the man but has been left damaged emotionally and financially.

Cybercrime Sergeant David Mitchell said scammers typically create fake online profiles designed to lure victims in.

“They may use a fictional name, or falsely take on the identities of real, trusted people such as military personnel, aid workers or professionals working abroad,” he said.

“They have even been known to phone their victims as a first introduction.”

Sergeant Mitchell said once trust was established, scammers share elaborate stories and ask for money, for example to cover costs with illness, injury, family crises, or travel.

“In a technique called ‘romance baiting’, scammers may also develop a relationship before convincing victims to participate in a false investment, usually in cryptocurrency.”

SA Police issued the following signs to look out for and prevention advice:

Scam red flags:

- Quick to fall in love or you develop a fast, close friendship.

- Promises of love, overly flirtatious and complimentary.

- Scammers may send their victim small gifts to “ensure they are genuine”.

- More often than not, there is a reason why their webcam isn’t working.

- Promises to meet in person, however, there is always an excuse to delay.

- Scammers will tell you what to say to bank tellers/checkout operators when they ask what you want money/gift cards for.

Prevention advice:

- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.

- Always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam. Try to remove the emotion from your decision-making, no matter how caring or persistent the ‘prospective partner’ is.

- Conduct an image search of your admirer to help confirm who they are claiming to be.

- Be alert to things like spelling and grammar mistakes, inconsistencies in their stories and other signs to indicate that it may be a scam.

- Be cautious when sharing personal pictures or videos with prospective partners, especially if you’ve never met them before. Scammers are known to blackmail their targets using compromising material.