Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, June 18, 2024
The New Zealand Police are urging the public to remain vigilant as a resurfacing phone scam has conned several Auckland residents, particularly targeting the elderly. Scammers are impersonating police officers, a ruse that has unfortunately led to substantial financial losses for some victims.
Multiple reports
In recent days, multiple reports have emerged of cold callers posing as police officers. These fraudsters, primarily targeting landlines, have managed to deceive elderly Aucklanders out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting of the Waitematā CIB explains that these scammers go to great lengths to appear credible. “They often provide a fake ID or badge number to make their call seem legitimate,” he states. The callers typically claim they are investigating cases of counterfeit bank notes or cloned credit cards and will then ask the victim to withdraw money from their bank, ostensibly to aid the investigation. The scammers either arrange to collect the money themselves or ask for additional financial information.
“This is a scam call,” warns Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting, emphasising the importance of scepticism and caution.
Trust exploited
Two recent incidents, reported in South Auckland and on the North Shore, involved victims who withdrew cash from their banks and handed it over to individuals who arrived at their homes under the guise of collecting evidence for a police investigation.
“These victims have had their goodwill and trust exploited by these scammers,” Bunting says. The investigation team is providing support to those affected.
Detective Bunting further warns, “Scammers have no ethics whatsoever and will take any opportunity to try and con you. These scams take many forms, and the offenders trick people under a variety of guises or storylines.”
While legitimate police officers may contact individuals as part of their duties, the public is urged to be cautious and spread the word, especially to elderly family members, who are often targeted by such scams.
“If anyone receives a call of this nature, hang up,” advises Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting. “If you have been a victim of this scam and have not yet reported it, we encourage you to contact the police.”
Key Reminders from the Police:
- Police will never call to ask for bank details, PIN numbers, or passwords.
- Police do not offer prize money.
- Police will not ask you to withdraw money from your bank.
- If you receive a suspicious call, challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details, and hang up. Verify their identity by contacting the police on 105.
- Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The New Zealand Police are committed to investigating these scams and protecting the public. They urge everyone to stay alert and safeguard themselves and their loved ones against these fraudulent activities.
Public Reaction
Local resident Margaret Thompson, aged 72, expressed her concern about the recent scams. “It is terrifying to think that someone could call you, pretending to be a police officer, and take away your hard-earned money,” she said. “I received a similar call last month, but luckily my daughter was visiting, and she told me to hang up immediately. I can see how easily someone could fall for it, especially if they are living alone and worried about their finances.”
Ms Thompson’s experience highlights the importance of community awareness and family support in combating such scams. “We need to look out for each other and make sure everyone, especially our elderly, knows about these dangers,” she added.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
