Beware - details of latest online scam doing the rounds!!
When buying and selling online try to positively identify any purchaser so that if you are caught by the scam outlined below (or any variance there of) you can supply police with identification that will assist with investigations.
A recent example:
A scammer advertises an iPhone 6 for sale on gumtree, for $700 - an iPhone that doesn’t exist.
The scammer lists a prepaid phone number for people to respond to.
The scammer sees another ad for sale on gumtree for a Samsung Galaxy, a phone that he wants.
The Victim responds to the ad for the iPhone 6 and texts the scammer.
The scammer contacts the third party advertising the Samsung phone and requests his Paypal details.
The scammer then forwards the third party Paypal details to the victim.
The victim then unknowingly pays $700 into the third party account and believes the iPhone will be posted out to him in the coming week.
The scammer, knowing the victim has paid the money into the third party account, goes to the third party house to collect his free (now paid for by the victim) Samsung phone. There is a brief conversation between the offender and the third party “You got the money into your Paypal account right?” But the third party does not verify who he is giving the phone to.
He’s just happy he has the money in his Paypal account
The victim is down $700.
The scammer gets a free phone.
The third party has no idea what’s happened, until Paypal is trying to take $700 off him for a suspected fraud.
If you fall victim to an online scam, police urge you to report it.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
Source:
myPolice
Gold Coast
