ANZ customer scammed out of $130K in ‘elaborate’ scheme

As if losing $130,000 in an elaborate new ruse wasn’t enough, this man was told by scammers what they would do with his money.

The scam victim said he thought ANZ had a liability to keep its customers informed of potential scams. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

A Sydney man lost $130,000 after he was tricked by scammers who pretended to be one of Australia’s major banks.

Small business owner Paul told radio station 2GB on Wednesday morning that the scammers then boasted to him that they were going to take a holiday after stealing his money.

“You get this sinking feeling in your stomach,” Paul said, remembering the moment he found out he had been scammed.

A Sydney man lost $130,000 after he was scammed by criminals claiming to be from the ANZ. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

He said he received a text message from the same number his bank, ANZ, had previously contacted him on, leading him to believe the message was legitimate.

“You assume it must be real,” Paul said.

The scam is referred to as “overstamping” and occurs when criminals hijack the numbers of legitimate businesses.

Paul said he had been forced to lay one worker off as a result of the scam and had stopped paying himself a wage.

He said he was now worried about the future of his business.

In a recording of one of his phone conversations with the scammers, one of the men tells Paul he would take a holiday after stealing his money.

The scammers bragged to the victim after stealing his money, and told him they were going to take a holiday after their successful crime. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

“It was great dealing with you Paul, thankyou, I’m probably going to take a vacation,” one of the men says.

Another man asked Paul how it felt to lost 33 per cent of his balance and added that his details were bought for $20.

Paul was also told in one of the conversations that they hoped his mother died a “terrible” death.

He said he was contacted by ANZ’s fraud squad and had since recovered some money but remained about $85,000 out of pocket.

Paul said ANZ had a “liability” to its customers.

“Just send a text message to your customer saying this service has been compromised,” he said.

ANZ has been contacted for comment.