How this great-grandmother lost nearly $500k, and how you can avoid it!
- Replies 16
We urge our readers to be cautious when receiving any suspicious calls claiming to be from government agencies and other trusted institutions. This story is a stark reminder of how cunning scammers can be and the importance of staying vigilant.
A 91-year-old Queensland great-grandmother, Margaret, thought she was assisting the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in apprehending a scammer. Little did she know she was being misled, losing nearly $500,000 of her life savings. Shocked and devastated by the incident, Margaret and her family decided to speak out to alert others in similar circumstances.
'I really haven't felt the same since,' said the elderly widow.
Margaret believed that a man named Andrew William, who claimed to be working with the AFP, was helping her to reveal scammers operating within banks. He falsely alerted Margaret to a supposed attempt by someone in her bank to steal her cash, recommending that she transfer her money to another bank for safety purposes.
'He said that people are losing all their money through the hackers and that some banks were better to deal with than others,' Margaret shared.
Margaret obeyed his instructions and transferred a whopping sum of $500,000 over ten months. The fake officer convinced her to keep the operation a secret to avoid jeopardising the police's work, resulting in Margaret feeling isolated and unwell.
'I felt very alone and actually really sick. I could hardly walk or speak,' she admitted.
According to David Lacey from IDCARE, a free support service for individuals victimised by scammers, such scams often start with a premise of confidentiality, manipulating victims into maintaining secrecy. Lacey revealed they had encountered four similar cases in the past month alone.
Acting Assistant Commissioner for Cyber Command with the Australian Federal Police, Commander Chris Goldsmid, stated that scams involving the impersonation of police officers are on the rise. He emphasised that 'the AFP will never call you and ask you to transfer money or send money anywhere out of your accounts’.
Margaret followed the scammer's instructions daily, making transfers both within Australia and to people in Thailand. As she had no access to online banking, she had to visit her bank each time physically.
Ben Griffin from the Bank of Queensland noted that these criminals specifically target the most vulnerable members of society. Margaret, who had been their customer for decades, had been questioned by the bank's staff regarding her large withdrawals, to which she gave no substantial answers.
The Bank of Queensland has witnessed a surge in reports indicating that their customers have fallen victim to fraudulent schemes orchestrated by imposters posing as undercover police officers. To learn more about this concerning issue, you can read further details here.
Margaret only realised it was a scam when she discovered one of her new accounts was empty. Commissioner Goldsmid advises reporting such scams early for the police and banks to investigate and recover money, if possible.
Maintaining knowledge of financial information security can help prevent falling victim to scams. If you notice any suspicious or unusual activity on your accounts, promptly contact your bank and take immediate action if you suspect unauthorised access to your details.
Unfortunately, stories like Margaret's are a reminder of the devastating consequences of falling victim to scams. Margaret finds herself in a dire situation, forced to sell her home to make ends meet.
We urge you to remain wary of unsolicited calls from unverified sources. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any calls, particularly if they involve discussions about your finances.
Members, what are your thoughts on Margaret's unfortunate situation and the importance of caution and vigilance in protecting oneself from scams? Share your opinions and experiences below to help raise awareness and support each other in staying safe.
A 91-year-old Queensland great-grandmother, Margaret, thought she was assisting the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in apprehending a scammer. Little did she know she was being misled, losing nearly $500,000 of her life savings. Shocked and devastated by the incident, Margaret and her family decided to speak out to alert others in similar circumstances.
An unfortunate incident unfolded for a 91-year-old widow from Queensland who, believing she was assisting the police in catching a scammer, ultimately suffered a loss of nearly $500,000. Image by Sabine van Erp from Pixabay
'I really haven't felt the same since,' said the elderly widow.
Margaret believed that a man named Andrew William, who claimed to be working with the AFP, was helping her to reveal scammers operating within banks. He falsely alerted Margaret to a supposed attempt by someone in her bank to steal her cash, recommending that she transfer her money to another bank for safety purposes.
'He said that people are losing all their money through the hackers and that some banks were better to deal with than others,' Margaret shared.
Margaret obeyed his instructions and transferred a whopping sum of $500,000 over ten months. The fake officer convinced her to keep the operation a secret to avoid jeopardising the police's work, resulting in Margaret feeling isolated and unwell.
'I felt very alone and actually really sick. I could hardly walk or speak,' she admitted.
According to David Lacey from IDCARE, a free support service for individuals victimised by scammers, such scams often start with a premise of confidentiality, manipulating victims into maintaining secrecy. Lacey revealed they had encountered four similar cases in the past month alone.
Acting Assistant Commissioner for Cyber Command with the Australian Federal Police, Commander Chris Goldsmid, stated that scams involving the impersonation of police officers are on the rise. He emphasised that 'the AFP will never call you and ask you to transfer money or send money anywhere out of your accounts’.
Margaret followed the scammer's instructions daily, making transfers both within Australia and to people in Thailand. As she had no access to online banking, she had to visit her bank each time physically.
Ben Griffin from the Bank of Queensland noted that these criminals specifically target the most vulnerable members of society. Margaret, who had been their customer for decades, had been questioned by the bank's staff regarding her large withdrawals, to which she gave no substantial answers.
The Bank of Queensland has witnessed a surge in reports indicating that their customers have fallen victim to fraudulent schemes orchestrated by imposters posing as undercover police officers. To learn more about this concerning issue, you can read further details here.
Margaret only realised it was a scam when she discovered one of her new accounts was empty. Commissioner Goldsmid advises reporting such scams early for the police and banks to investigate and recover money, if possible.
Protecting Yourself From Scams: How to Stay Vigilant
As scammer tactics become increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial to stay vigilant to protect yourself from fraud.1. Recognising Scam Indicators:
David Lacey from IDCARE emphasises that scams often begin with a request for confidentiality, manipulating victims into maintaining secrecy. Anonymity in calls can be a red flag, indicating a potential scam.2. Common Sense and Financial Transactions:
Chris Goldsmid, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Cyber Command with the Australian Federal Police, advises that relying on common sense is vital for financial transactions. If someone unsolicitedly urges you to transfer money, claiming it is for your financial safety, it is likely a scam. Goldsmid emphatically warns that the AFP never asks individuals to transfer money or send funds from their accounts.3. Protecting Financial Information:
Ben Griffin, representing the Bank of Queensland, stresses the need for caution in sharing financial information. He affirms that no matter which financial institution you are a customer of, they will never ask for your secret codes or PINs.Maintaining knowledge of financial information security can help prevent falling victim to scams. If you notice any suspicious or unusual activity on your accounts, promptly contact your bank and take immediate action if you suspect unauthorised access to your details.
We urge you to remain wary of unsolicited calls from unverified sources. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any calls, particularly if they involve discussions about your finances.
Members, what are your thoughts on Margaret's unfortunate situation and the importance of caution and vigilance in protecting oneself from scams? Share your opinions and experiences below to help raise awareness and support each other in staying safe.
.png){kind=icon}
