Beware! New scam targets Aussies with fake psychic readings
- Replies 8
We've all heard about those dodgy email scams where internet fraudsters try to con unsuspecting people out of their hard-earned money, either by impersonating a financial institution or a government agency. It's a sad reality of the digital age we live in.
But never has the danger been so 'unique' as with a new scam that's targeting social media users—one that impersonates the popular celebrity psychic Cael O'Donnell.
Thanks to his considerable social media following, online scammers have exploited his identity to swindle countless fans and followers out of substantial sums of money.
The scam is simple: they approach people on social media platforms, posing as Cael O'Donnell's 'talent manager', and offer psychic readings or other events in exchange for a fee.
Unfortunately, when people transfer their money over, they realise they'll never hear from 'Cael O'Donnell' again.
'I've counted 50 fake accounts across social media that are pretending to be me,' Mr O'Donnell said.
This type of scam, also known as 'clairvoyant fraud', has been growing in popularity in Australia recently. The Australian Competition and Consumer Watchdog have reported that Scamwatch received 63 reports of clairvoyant scams this year, totalling more than $260,000. This marks a 219 per cent increase compared to last year's losses.
'Scammers are increasingly opportunistic,' said a spokesperson for Scamwatch, 'often connecting with victims through social media platforms.'
'Scamwatch advice is not to send money to anyone claiming to be a clairvoyant,' the website said.
Rachel Butland, a mum of four, is one of the many people who were scammed by someone pretending to be Cael O'Donnell.
Just when she was hoping to wind down after a hard day at work, she received a message from someone posing as O'Donnell—complete with his name and a legitimate-looking photo—on social media, offering her a reading in exchange for a 'donation' to a mysterious 'temple'.
As soon as Rachel transferred $70, she realised she'd been had.
'A lot of people can think, you know, you could have done other things with that [money], but for me, it was just some self-care for myself, and it is very rare that I do that,' Ms Butland said.
'A lot has happened in my life that has made it a bit tough, and I thought my luck has changed. So when I realised this definitely is not the real Cael, I got really upset.'
At the end of the day, it's up to you as to whether you're willing to invest in a psychic consultation. But if you're ever concerned about whether a psychic is legitimate or a professional, do some research first.
University of Southern Queensland Senior Lecturer Jeremy Patrick has written a book exploring the tension between fortune-telling and the law.
'If I go to a fortune teller, and I give them $50 or $75 for an hour's consultation, and I walk away happy, to my mind, that's perfectly legitimate,' Dr Patrick said.
However, if you're asked to donate a massive sum of money with no clear indication of what you're getting in return, be aware that you're probably dealing with a scammer.
Meanwhile, the Chief Investigator of Australian Sceptics, a group that investigates paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies, Richard Saunders, believes that not all psychics are fraudulent. However, not all of them are legitimate either.
Having offered a cash prize of $100,000 to anyone who could prove psychic or paranormal abilities—an offer which, incidentally, still stands—Saunders found that some psychics are 'genuine, honest, sincere people simply deluded into thinking they have special magical powers'.
As for Cael O'Donnell, he's accepting that, in this day and age, scepticism of his profession is normal.
'I think that it's normal to believe that psychics are frauds and scams, and I think that's very good and safe to start from that perspective and allow the psychic to change your mind,' he said.
As usual, with any transactions involving money, whether small or large, the best course of action is always to double and even triple-check all the details. Do your research about the person or company you're sending your money to because scammers are becoming savvier nowadays.
Members, we hope you find this article insightful! Have you come across any similar cases or stories lately? Share them with us; we'd love to hear from you!
But never has the danger been so 'unique' as with a new scam that's targeting social media users—one that impersonates the popular celebrity psychic Cael O'Donnell.
Thanks to his considerable social media following, online scammers have exploited his identity to swindle countless fans and followers out of substantial sums of money.
The scam is simple: they approach people on social media platforms, posing as Cael O'Donnell's 'talent manager', and offer psychic readings or other events in exchange for a fee.
Scamwatch has received 63 reports of clairvoyant scams this year. Credit: Unsplash.
Unfortunately, when people transfer their money over, they realise they'll never hear from 'Cael O'Donnell' again.
'I've counted 50 fake accounts across social media that are pretending to be me,' Mr O'Donnell said.
This type of scam, also known as 'clairvoyant fraud', has been growing in popularity in Australia recently. The Australian Competition and Consumer Watchdog have reported that Scamwatch received 63 reports of clairvoyant scams this year, totalling more than $260,000. This marks a 219 per cent increase compared to last year's losses.
'Scammers are increasingly opportunistic,' said a spokesperson for Scamwatch, 'often connecting with victims through social media platforms.'
'Scamwatch advice is not to send money to anyone claiming to be a clairvoyant,' the website said.
Rachel Butland, a mum of four, is one of the many people who were scammed by someone pretending to be Cael O'Donnell.
Just when she was hoping to wind down after a hard day at work, she received a message from someone posing as O'Donnell—complete with his name and a legitimate-looking photo—on social media, offering her a reading in exchange for a 'donation' to a mysterious 'temple'.
As soon as Rachel transferred $70, she realised she'd been had.
'A lot of people can think, you know, you could have done other things with that [money], but for me, it was just some self-care for myself, and it is very rare that I do that,' Ms Butland said.
'A lot has happened in my life that has made it a bit tough, and I thought my luck has changed. So when I realised this definitely is not the real Cael, I got really upset.'
At the end of the day, it's up to you as to whether you're willing to invest in a psychic consultation. But if you're ever concerned about whether a psychic is legitimate or a professional, do some research first.
University of Southern Queensland Senior Lecturer Jeremy Patrick has written a book exploring the tension between fortune-telling and the law.
'If I go to a fortune teller, and I give them $50 or $75 for an hour's consultation, and I walk away happy, to my mind, that's perfectly legitimate,' Dr Patrick said.
However, if you're asked to donate a massive sum of money with no clear indication of what you're getting in return, be aware that you're probably dealing with a scammer.
Meanwhile, the Chief Investigator of Australian Sceptics, a group that investigates paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies, Richard Saunders, believes that not all psychics are fraudulent. However, not all of them are legitimate either.
Having offered a cash prize of $100,000 to anyone who could prove psychic or paranormal abilities—an offer which, incidentally, still stands—Saunders found that some psychics are 'genuine, honest, sincere people simply deluded into thinking they have special magical powers'.
As for Cael O'Donnell, he's accepting that, in this day and age, scepticism of his profession is normal.
'I think that it's normal to believe that psychics are frauds and scams, and I think that's very good and safe to start from that perspective and allow the psychic to change your mind,' he said.
As usual, with any transactions involving money, whether small or large, the best course of action is always to double and even triple-check all the details. Do your research about the person or company you're sending your money to because scammers are becoming savvier nowadays.
Members, we hope you find this article insightful! Have you come across any similar cases or stories lately? Share them with us; we'd love to hear from you!
.png){kind=icon}
