Phone scam targeting Chinese community
June 2, 2008 - 10:46AM
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Queensland police are warning Australia's Chinese community about an overseas competition scam targeting people who speak Mandarin.
Police say people in Queensland and South Australia have already fallen victim to the scam, with other states also expected to be targeted.
The scam involves a phone call from a person speaking Mandarin telling the victim they have won a large sum of money in a competition they never entered.
Victims are told funds need to be sent to China in order for the prize to be claimed, a police spokeswoman said.
As much as $10,000 has been requested.
Other variations to the scam include a phone call to advise the victim they have been selected to enter a draw for a large prize, before being contacted days later to advise they have won the prize.
In some cases, people have been told the caller is conducting a survey for an electrical goods company.
The phone calls have come from two Hong Kong numbers - 0011 852 21589237 and 0011 852 30786189.
http://news.smh.com.au/national/ ... -20080602-2kou.html
