There are currently several different scams targeting New Zealanders involving use of eftpos cards and overseas credit card transactions. Whether from an overseas or local person, anyone accepting credit cards or eftpos card transactions should be taking great care, say Christchurch Police.
Eftpos
Detective Sergeant Virginia le Bas, Fraud Squad, says that retailers should take care accepting eftpos transactions, especially when a customer asks to make a manual transaction.
"These are signed and there is no way of checking immediately if the transaction has been accepted," she says. "New Zealand has sophisticated eftpos use and PIN numbers are safer than a signature. There is an immediate acceptance or decline which should be carefully checked before the credit card is returned and cash or goods handed over."
`Nigerian' scam
This type of scam has been around for some time and involves a story about a death and needing a bank account to `send' money to, so the estate can be released. It often involves money being removed from your account. These `hard luck' stories emanate from many countries around the world.
Employment applications
This is a scam which involves the `on line' application for a job, in one case as an agent for International Finance. On the final page you are asked for your bank account details.
"This is a way to get your account number so it can be used as a `mule' to launder money," says DS Le Bas. "If it asks for a money transfer this can be an indication that it is a scam, as such transactions are difficult to trace."
Some people willingly become `mules' and knowingly allow their accounts to be used to transfer money. Those people should be aware that it is a reckless thing to do.
"Money laundering charges could be laid," says Le Bas. "It is similar to being a drug courier."
Motel and Bed and breakfast bookings
A booking is made from overseas for accommodation or services and a credit card number sent to have the full amount, or more money than needed, deducted. However the booking is then cancelled with the request to have the money repaid electronically forwarded to another account, not the original, often in another, third, country. Thus the motel owner/ person offering services, has become the unwitting `mule' for money laundering.
Another variation on this is to ask for goods to be sent to an overseas address instead of returning the payment as a credit.
It is recognised that terrorists fund raise through ventures that include a variety of fraud offences. It is possible that scams of this nature could be part of these.
From an international crime investigation perspective it would unwise to become complacent regarding the origin and purpose of such scams.
There is the possibility that terrorism fund-raising methods, as varied as they have become, could now include international money-making scams like the ones now being reported in New Zealand.
It is important that the community remains vigilant to such scams and reports all suspicious enquiry and requests regardless of its apparent origin.
"The best way to counter these crimes is to be aware of these possibilities and never take money transactions for granted," says Virginia Le Bas.
Note
Wire services such a Western Union can be used for illegitimate scams. Western Union is a legitimate organisation however its use by scam operators is of concern and sometimes an indicator that care should be taken.
Anyone with concerns should check the Commerce Department web site for Scam watch. Scamwatch is a Ministry of Consumer Affairs website.
ScamWatch covers all sorts of scams from financial and investment scams and keeps a look out for new scams, rorts and rip offs - our latest ...
www.scamwatch.gov.au/