CONSUMER Protection and WA Police have warned residents not to be tricked after one Busselton person fell victim to an overseas money mule scam.
Most people are becoming money mules by being enticed by a job advertisement offering an attractive salary for working from home or by responding to a fake business proposition.
These people are being conned by fraudsters wanting to use their bank accounts to transfer money out of the country.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Anne Driscoll said this new tactic was being used by scammers because asking victims to wire transfer money now raised suspicions.
She said unsuspecting money mules were recruited through “work from home” job advertisements.
WA Police major fraud squad detective senior sergeant Steve Potter said people who transfer the money were breaking the law and could risk criminal prosecution.
“Already some people in WA are facing money laundering charges or are under investigation in cases where we allege that they refused to heed warnings from Consumer Protection, WA Police or their banks, and then continued to receive and send money via their personal bank accounts,” he said.
“So I would urge anyone asked to transfer money on behalf of another person to question what they are doing and, if there are any doubts or suspicions, seek advice from either Consumer Protection or WA Police immediately.”
People who believe they are being used as money mules should contact WA ScamNet by email wascamnet@commerce.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54, or contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. More information on scams is available at www.scamnet.wa.gov.au.