Scammers pose as police, demand cash to release family members

Friday, 27 October 2017

Phone scammers posing as police are targeting the Indian community and appear to know the personal details of those they're targeting. (File photo)

Scammers are posing as police officers and demanding money to release family members they claim to be holding in custody.

Auckland City police say there are investigating several incidents of scammers targeting the Indian community and impersonating police officers.

The scammers call victims up tell them they've just arrested a member of their family then demand significant amounts of money for their release, according to Detective Sergeant Bridget Doell of the Auckland City Police Financial Crime Unit.

'These scammers are preying on members of our community who may not be completely familiar with New Zealand law and our police practices.

* Woman duped by scammer had $15,000 taken from account

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* Hoax caller from overseas makes the mistake of trying to scam a police officer**

Doell said in some instances victims were asked to provide iTunes vouchers rather than cash.

“These scams are quite complex and on at least one occasion the scammer has known personal information about the victim.'

“In no instance would a call like this be genuine. If you receive a suspicious call, do not engage with them and hang up immediately.'

Doell requested members of the public get in contact with the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit on (09) 302 6400 if they they thought they had been targeted by the scam.