Post by kas on Dec 30, 2010 21:36:38 GMT -5
Overseas students lose thousands in online rental scam
December 30, 2010
An accommodation scam in Perth has left three international students thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The women, who are from Germany and Korea, were tricked into paying rent and bond money for rooms by someone pretending to own the properties.
Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection Gary Newcombe said that while it was not a new scam, many overseas visitors would be unaware of the dangers.
Advertisement: Story continues below
"This con has been around for a few years. The scammers advertise rooms to rent via websites like Gumtree and Share-Accommodation," he said.
"Usually it's an exceptionally good deal with cheap weekly rates for a high quality home and there will be a reason that you cannot view it or meet with the landlord."
Mr Newcombe said that after email correspondence, the victim would be asked to wire transfer or bank deposit the first month's money and a bond.
He said the keys would never arrive and if the victim visited the property, they would find people already living there who did not know the so-called landlord.
Mr Newcombe said the three women involved in the most recent scam had come to Australia to study and were also working part time.
"When they came to see our officer at WA ScamNet, there were a lot of tears and disbelief that they had been targeted in this way," he said.
"It is very sad because it has left them with a terrible opinion of our country even though the scammer is thought to be overseas."
Consumers in doubt about an online transaction should visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/wascamnet or call Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54.
December 30, 2010
An accommodation scam in Perth has left three international students thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The women, who are from Germany and Korea, were tricked into paying rent and bond money for rooms by someone pretending to own the properties.
Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection Gary Newcombe said that while it was not a new scam, many overseas visitors would be unaware of the dangers.
Advertisement: Story continues below
"This con has been around for a few years. The scammers advertise rooms to rent via websites like Gumtree and Share-Accommodation," he said.
"Usually it's an exceptionally good deal with cheap weekly rates for a high quality home and there will be a reason that you cannot view it or meet with the landlord."
Mr Newcombe said that after email correspondence, the victim would be asked to wire transfer or bank deposit the first month's money and a bond.
He said the keys would never arrive and if the victim visited the property, they would find people already living there who did not know the so-called landlord.
Mr Newcombe said the three women involved in the most recent scam had come to Australia to study and were also working part time.
"When they came to see our officer at WA ScamNet, there were a lot of tears and disbelief that they had been targeted in this way," he said.
"It is very sad because it has left them with a terrible opinion of our country even though the scammer is thought to be overseas."
Consumers in doubt about an online transaction should visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/wascamnet or call Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54.
www.smh.com.au/technology/security/overseas-students-lose-thousands-in-online-rental-scam-20101230-19arw.html