IN THE past year $66,458 in scam money has been transferred from the Peel region to countries on Africa’s west coast.
Project Sunbird, a joint operation between Consumer Protection and the Major Fraud Squad, tracks money that leaves Western Australian bank accounts to western African countries via Austrac.
A Consumer Protection spokesperson said they suspected the payments from the Peel region were made by scam victims.
“Through this process we are able to send letters to people who we suspect are scam victims and hopefully stop them sending more money,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said most of the money leaving the Peel came from cases of relationship fraud, otherwise known as romance scams, which led to investment scams.
Scammers pose as singles on dating sites and chat rooms, cultivating a relationship of trust with the victim over weeks, months and even years before requesting money or assistance.
Between August 4-9, WA ScamNet received reports from 24 scam victims who reported a total of $2 million in losses in just one week.
A man in his late 70’s from WA’s Great Southern reported losing $1million in a romance fraud.
Another victim reported losing half a million dollars in an investment scam.
Last week Major Fraud Squad concluded an eight-month investigation when aNigerian man was apprehended for attemptedhome fraud on a property in Falcon.
Consumer Protection commissioner Anne Driscoll said the financial loss suffered by scam victims was staggering.
“People who have fallen victim to the clever tactics of professional and well-organised criminals not only suffer huge financial losses, but their confidence, trust and self-esteem are seriously eroded as well,” Ms Driscoll said
“I urge anyone sending money to a person overseas who they have only met via the internet, to be suspicious and discuss their situation with family and friends or contact us.”
Information and advice on scams can be found on the WA ScamNet and victims can report scams by email or by calling 1300 30 40 54.
