Unscrupulous telemarketers target Chinese consumers

Australia's Chinese consumers are being targeted by unscrupulous telemarketers, believed to be based in Hong Kong.

"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been receiving an increasing number of complaints from members of the Australian Chinese community who have lost money to bogus cash lottery wins and other fake prizes claims," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "The calls are made in Mandarin or in some cases Cantonese.

"Complainant reports indicate that the scam operates a few different ways. In one scenario, the consumer is contacted to respond to a survey only to be contacted later to be told that they have won a prize. In another, the caller announces a lottery or prize win which also includes attending a function or an event. Some involve a combination of both.

"As it continues, the scam then takes on the hallmarks of a typical 'advance fee fraud'. In order to claim the prize, money must be paid up front and personal details such as bank account and passport numbers must be provided.

"The scammers will ask for money to pay taxes or administration fees. Usually once the bait is taken, the scammer is in regular contact always asking for more, even to the point of persuading the victim to borrow from family and friends."

The ACCC is advising members of the Chinese community, their families and friends to be alert to scammers who are cold calling with offers of prizes and lottery wins.

Any win that requires up front fees, money transfer payments and or the disclosure of personal details should be avoided.

For more information on scams or to report, including advance fee fraud and unexpected prize scams go to the ACCC's SCAMwatch site at www.scamwatch.gov.au or call the Infocentre on 1300 302 502.