TASMANIANS using online dating services are being targeted by international credit card scammers, police warn.
Scammers are posting fake profiles on dating sites to meet unwitting Tasmanians, who receive goods bought online using stolen credit cards.
They are then asked to forward the parcels to an overseas address.
The fraud and e-crime division of Tasmania Police is investigating several reports from retailers about goods bought online using stolen credit cards.
Detective Sergeant Natasha Leaman said at least one Tasmanian man had been charged after he was allegedly caught up in a scam that netted $45,000 of goods bought using stolen credit cards.
The 67-year-old was charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime after allegedly forwarding goods to Cambodia.
"He'd receive 20 or 30 packages a week and then take them down to the post office and send them to a person in Cambodia," she said.
Scammers use a number of excuses to enlist the help of lonely hearts online, many of whom don't realise the goods have been bought with stolen credit cards.
The most common excuse given by scammers is the store the item was bought at won't post goods overseas, Det-Sgt Leaman said.
"In some instances the scammers will send money (to the person) via a money transfer service to pay the costs of postage," she said.
Police warned scammers went to great lengths to create fake profiles on legitimate internet dating services.
In some cases, Tasmanians were also convinced to send their own money to the scammer.
"Scammers will prey on unsuspecting victims who trust easily and fall for financial or personal hardship stories," Det-Sgt Leaman said.
"Once the scammer has the trust of the victim they will ask for money or gifts to be sent abroad.
"A common method is to fake an illness and request money for medical bills or profess undying love for the victim and request financial assistance for travelling costs to see the victim in person."
Police said people using online dating services needed to be wary about providing personal information online and take steps to verify the claims people are making.
No comments:
Post a Comment