Police warn against more online scams

The Federal Police together with the Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) is warning internet users to be aware of bogus job offer scams.

Victims are usually approached online via email, instant message and have been known to even advertise on legitimate employment websites, warned the Police and ABA.

The scam hopes to trap victims into becoming money mules and to hold stolen funds in their bank accounts.

Director of the AFP Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC) James McCormack said people should be very suspicious about someone asking you to transfer money in and out of your bank account to other accounts,” said McCormack.

According to David Bell chief executive of the Australian Bankers’ Association, users should ignore and immediately delete any such emails.

Users who respond to such emails also leave themselves at risk of identity theft, as the criminals ask for confidential bank account details.

Popular job search website SEEK has a page dedicated to protecting users from scams and fraud. It advises users that it endeavours to ensure that all job ads are for legitimate job opportunities and removes, when identified, ads that contravene its Terms and Conditions.

Furthermore, SEEK advises users it will never send an email asking users to update your username and password.

Additionally, criminals may use a romance scam where they target singles and ask for money to be transferred to enable the singles to meet, warned Bell.

McCormack said money mules could become part of a police investigation that could lead to a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.