Scammers pretend to be police in Bendigo

UPDATE Friday 9pm: Police are warning the community to be wary of a counterfeit cash scam that is currently doing the rounds in country Victoria.

Members of the public have contacted police stating they received a call from a person claiming to be from the Australian Federal Police.

The caller informs the victim that they are currently investigating a local financial institution for distributing counterfeit notes.

They then tell the victim that they need their help and that they are going to transfer them to local police.

The scammers pretend to transfer to the local police and a new scammer tells the victim that they need them to withdraw all of their money out of their accounts and send it to police in the United Kingdom.

Victims are assured that they will be reimbursed by police.

In one case the victims were told to burn some notes and if they burned blue then they were fake (they did burn blue but were not fake).

The scammers also keep the phone line tied up so when some victims have gone to call the local police station to verify they have still been speaking to the scammers.

Police are aware of recent incidents in Bendigo and Yarrawonga where last minute intervention by police has stopped victims from losing large amounts of money.

Australia Post were instrumental in stopping a package being sent to the UK on Friday afternoon after they were alerted by police with their Customer Contact Centre and Australia Post Security in Melbourne going above and beyond.

For information on the latest scams police suggest you visit www.scamwatch.com.au

Anyone with further information about the scam is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

EARLIER: Bendigo police are warning of another phone scam in the area, this time with callers pretending to be police officers.

Detective Senior Constable Debbie Graham said the scammers were purporting to be from the Australian Federal Police and were trying to con people out of money. 

“The scammers are asking people to withdraw their money out of their bank for them,” she said.

“Police officers do not ask for money over the phone.”

Detective Senior Constable Graham warned people not to follow any instructions and to just hang up.

“If you have any doubts, ask for their name, officer rank and work location and then you can call the Bendigo police station to verify the call,” she said.

It is the second phone scam police have advised is hitting the region currently.

First Constable Mark Logan said at least one person had fallen victim to a phone scam where callers pretended to be from the tax office.

“Once they get you on the phone they start with their strong-arm tactics to get you to pay,” he said.

The warnings come as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported an increase in scam activity last year.

To report any scam activity, visit the Australian government’s SCAMwatch website.