[ad_1]
Not for syndication
The victims paid for electronic products that they never received.
People have lost thousands of dollars after scammers set up fake Facebook pages and pretended to sell electronic products.
Police on Tuesday said they have received dozens of complaints from people who have been scammed by “retailers” advertising digital and electronic products for sale online.
The Auckland City Financial Crimes Unit is investigating and said that scammers are creating fake Facebook pages on behalf of New Zealand companies.
A police spokesperson said the companies are listed on Facebook as shops located in the lower South Island and say they sell cell phones, laptops and tablets.
READ MORE:
* Facebook scam criminal gets two years in prison
* Coronavirus: Couple cheated outside the car during the Covid-19 lockdown
* Senior Kiwis scammed out of hundreds of thousands in recent ‘Spark’ phone scam
The victims have transferred money to a New Zealand bank account but never received the goods.
The spokesperson said “dozens” of complaints have been received from people across the country, with tens of thousands of dollars collectively lost.
Police investigations have found that fraudulent companies are running in Southeast Asia.
“The scammer will generally contact someone in New Zealand through Facebook Messenger and offer him a ‘job’ working for them,” police said.
“Victims will deposit money into this person’s New Zealand bank account, and the person in New Zealand is instructed to transfer the funds to the offshore bank account.”
Detective Sergeant Major Nikki Latimer said police want to warn people about the scam and prevent the risks of taking a job online for an unknown company.
“If you are applying for a job through Facebook or Messenger, carry out checks at the company to confirm that it is legitimate.
“If the company claims to be based in New Zealand, Google the company and contact them through the information on their website.
“If the contact details are not legitimate or do not exist, it is likely a scam.”
Latimer said in a similar case, if a company that offers you an online job is based abroad and suggests using your own bank account to process payments, avoid it.
Knowingly participating in fraudulent activities can result in prosecution, police said.
Police said the public should be cautious when buying products online or on Facebook and make sure the companies are legitimate.
“These companies may appear legitimate on the surface, but they will generally avoid listing contact phone numbers, so there is no one they can really talk to,” Latimer said.
If you believe that you have been a victim of this or another scam and have lost money, contact your bank in the first instance and then report it to the police by calling 105 or visiting 105.police.govt.nz
