Man loses $5000 after falling for a scammer's one simple request

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and even the most experienced can fall victim to a seemingly harmless interaction.

What started as a simple phone call soon turned into a financial nightmare for one man, leaving him grappling with a devastating loss.

As the story unfolds, it reveals just how easily a quick request can lead to serious consequences.


Peter Cook, a retiree with 28 years of banking experience, has expressed regret after falling victim to a scam that drained $5000 from his savings.

The 79-year-old, from Adelaide, was left with little money after the fraud, having to rely on his wife’s separate account to pay bills.


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Retiree loses $5000 to scam, left financially strained. Image source: Pexel/panumas nikhomkhai


Earlier this year, in March, Mr Cook noticed his internet was unusually slow, prompting him to contact his telco provider, Optus.

Shortly after, he received a call from a woman claiming to be from the same company, and he accepted the call, unaware that it was a scam.

The scammer asked him a simple but sneaky question about his phone, a request that would ultimately cost him thousands of dollars.

The fraudster told him they were transferring him to a technician, who Mr Cook described as having an Asian accent.


The technician convinced him to download an app called AnyDesk, under the guise that it would solve his internet issues.

However, the app gave the scammers remote access to his phone, allowing them to access his bank account without him noticing.

‘What struck me at the time, he asked me to ‘make sure your phone is facing down’,’ Mr Cook recalled.

This seemingly innocent request was what allowed the scammer to raid his account, leaving Mr Cook oblivious to the theft until later when he checked his balance.


‘I looked at my account and I’ve got no money left in it,’ he said.

It’s not the first time such a scam has occurred. Other victims have lost significant sums, some even tens of thousands of dollars, after scammers pretended to fix slow NBN connections.

Another victim shared that they were instructed to turn off their phone, a similar tactic that led to a loss of funds.


In a related story, we highlighted how a single click on a deceptive email put a man’s Centrelink payments at serious risk. To learn more about this shocking breach and how to protect yourself, read the full article here.

Key Takeaways
  • A 79-year-old retiree lost $5000 to scammers after a seemingly innocent phone call.
  • The scammers convinced him to download an app that gave them remote access to his phone.
  • They asked him to ‘make sure your phone is facing down,’ allowing them to access his bank account undetected.
  • Similar scams have affected others, with victims losing tens of thousands of dollars under the guise of fixing slow internet connections.

Have you or someone you know experienced a scam like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Stay updated and safeguard yourself from the latest scams with the SDC's Cybersecurity for Aussies Over 60 modules. Learn more here.
 

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Ah well that's the banking world today, all sorts of traps for customers to contend with in the name of cashless transactions and convenience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scaveola
Fools and their money are easily parted.
If you download any app allowing the person to remote access your computer without first verifying the authenticity of the caller then you are a complete and utter fool!
I have to agree with that, one of the first things I do when I get a new computer/laptop is to turn off remote viewing.
No one is peeking into my computers, and as for the camera on a laptop, just cover it over with some tape or even a band aid!
 
  • Like
Reactions: PattiB and Vinylted
We have to learn that never do anything without ringing the bank firm or whatever is it legit, until lesson learner no matter how good it looks this will continue.
 
I had same issue with new NBN modem, via Optus. Scammer contacted me 3 hours after text from Optus, approving my new Modem.. Scammer even provided ID of Tech who would supposedly arrive & to check his ID ...
That’s a tough one to doubt
 
  • Like
Reactions: deni67
I agree the scammers must work in the call center for the Telcos and Microsoft. Otherwise how do they know your having a problem.
What I can't workout from the story was this:
"prompting him to contact his telco provider, Optus". So what happened when he called Optus? there's a bit missing.

"Shortly after, he received a call from a woman claiming to be from the same company" what company?

Why would you take the call, you hang up and call back on the main number. These days I don't answer any calls unless I am expecting it and I know who is calling. Can't believe people are still answering calls and then giving the callers remote access to their devices and computers.
How many times do the authorities have to say it yet still does not sink in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Colette 3799

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