www.newshub.co.nz Open in urlscan Pro
18.67.111.81  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

Name: mc-embedded-subscribe-form — POST https://newshub.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=72c57de7a6fb5e1667388ed32&id=fd1bce50dd

<form action="https://newshub.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=72c57de7a6fb5e1667388ed32&amp;id=fd1bce50dd" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate="">
  <div class="ArticleAttribution-form">
    <input type="email" value="" name="EMAIL" placeholder="Email address" class="ArticleAttribution-form-input" required="">
    <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups-->
    <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;" aria-hidden="true"><input type="text" name="b_6554eff95e2621ca1bad420dc_e1c417d4b0" tabindex="-1" value=""></div>
    <div><button type="submit" name="subscribe" class="ArticleAttribution-form-submit">Subscribe</button></div>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

 * TV
   * Three
   * Bravo
   * Newshub
   * ThreeNow
   * TV Guide
 * News
   * NZ News
   * Politics
   * Weather
   * Sport
   * Health
   * Money
   * World
   * Rural
 * Sport
 * 


25 October 2023

Shows

Watch the latest from Newshub
ThreeNow

Watch the latest current affairs shows
Auckland

AKL
20° 14°
 * Home
 * Video
 * New Zealand
 * World
 * Decision 23
 * RWC23
 * Sport
 * Entertainment
 * Lifestyle
 * Travel
 * Money


Online Security


HOW WOMAN TARGETED BY 'CHINESE OFFICIAL' PHONE SCAM RECOGNISED IT WAS A TRAP

 * 20/08/2023
 * Trent Doyle
 * 

Photo credit: Getty Images (file)

An Auckland woman targeted by scammers posing as Chinese officials was "so
embarrassed" that she didn't end up telling her husband about it for three days.

Mandarin-speaking scammers have been posing as Chinese courier drivers, police
officers, and lawyers to scam Chinese-speaking New Zealanders - including
'Ling'.

She's sharing her story so others can recognise a scam before it's too late.


RELATED NEWS

Police 'deeply concerned' over fake charity scam targeting vulnerable people
Man scammed out of $40,000, banks repeat warnings not to share passwords

'Ling', originally from Taiwan, was working from home a few weeks ago when she
got a call from a New Zealand 022 number - thinking nothing out of the ordinary.

"I picked it up, and it was a nice lady."

The person calling, speaking in Mandarin, claimed to be from a "courier
company".

"There was a parcel with some problems, and I was the sender of it from China,"
Ling told Newshub.

She tried to explain there had been a mix-up.

"I'm not Chinese, I've never been to China."

But the woman seemed to have all of Ling's contact details.

"Everything seemed correct."

'Ling' told Newshub she was so scared and embarrassed to tell her husband about
being scammed - that she didn't for 3 days. Photo credit: Newshub.


Ling was told her "package" was implicated in a "human trafficking" and "money
laundering" scheme.

Then, the woman read aloud an unfamiliar Auckland address.

"That's not me. I live in Sandringham. And stupidly I gave her my address," said
Ling.

The woman then told her this type of scam is "very common here in China" before
transferring her to a Chinese 'police constable' to sort the issue out.

"This is when I said I don't know who you are."

The man sent a picture, which Ling was sceptical about.

Ling says the male 'police officer' showed her a badge, which seemed legitimate,
and also videocalled her to prove he was inside a police building. Photo credit:
Supplied.

"Then he turned on his front-facing camera and showed me his badge. He stood up,
walked around outside, and showed me the building he was in."

She said it seemed completely legitimate but his attitude was "very stern, very
scary".

"I thought if I tell the truth, I have nothing to hide," Ling said.

But then it escalated even more.

The police constable said to Ling he had to run her information through his
database to check if it had been used by other scammers.



"And this is when it comes back with a positive match."

Ling was "shocked."

This poster explains to the Chinese-speaking community how to spot these types
of scams - pointing out that scammers often pose as lawyers, health
professionals, or police. Photo credit: Supplied.

A third person, claiming to be a 'police captain' investigating the money
laundering case, was "even scarier" than the first.

Ling handed over her passport information, but stopped short of giving her bank
account details.

"[I was] so relieved."

Then by day three or four, she realised it was all fake.

"They were telling me they're going to extradite everyone involved into China."

They even sent fake extradition documents.

"I was so scared. I thought: how am I going to explain this to my husband and
children?"

She later realised that's not how extradition works.

And, the first 022 phone call was a giveaway.



"A couple of clues here and there made me feel like I think I'm ready to go to
the NZ Police - even though emotionally I was very scared."

Police encouraged Ling to call her bank straight away.

"They reassured me they've seen this before."

The scammers even sent Ling fake 'extradition' documents. Photo credit: Newshub.

Ling wondered why these scams aren't common knowledge, saying official websites
aren't doing the trick.

"A regular person like myself would never ever visit a government website or
police website on my own."

Ling didn't tell her husband about the ordeal until day three.

"I feel so embarrassed and so stupid," she said.

"This whole time I thought I could handle it myself, and I don't have to tell my
husband to worry him."

When she did eventually go to police, her logical side knew she fell for a scam,
but she was "still scared".

Ling's husband was upset for not telling him earlier.

"You're no fool, but they certainly made a fool out of you," he said to Ling.

Her parents "couldn't believe" it either.

Police say shame is a key reason why scam victims don't come forward.

Ling wants to share what happened to her so other Chinese speakers don't fall
for the same ploy.

"Go to the police right away. Talk to your family. The way they carry on the
script - they slowly escalate the seriousness."

Sean Lyons from NetSafe says new arrivals to Aotearoa may be more of a target
for scams - as they may be unfamiliar with Kiwi systems like the law or police.
Photo credit: Newshub.

And it's more important than ever, according to NetSafe's Sean Lyons, because
the scam industry is thriving.

"It's still paying off, [and] it's still profitable. There are good methods to
follow -  it's easy for them to do.

"The convincing nature of what they're able to use to reveal to people, to
convince them, is getting only more complex. That means these scams are getting
more complex and more difficult to spot."

And new arrivals in Aotearoa may be more of a target, Lyons said.

"When people have arrived in our country, they're not as familiar with the
infrastructure - how government systems, the legal system, or the justice system
works."

In July, police revealed two people had each lost hundreds of thousands of
dollars to three reports of a 'Chinese officials' scam.

Certain scams go away and re-appear years later, so the public is encouraged to
be aware of the tricks used, police told Newshub.

In Singapore, scam victims lost about NZ$9 million in just the first half of
2019, falling for the same exact ploy by Chinese officials.


RELATED NEWS

US government agencies hit in global cyberattack by Russian cybercriminals
'Worst case scenario': Cyber attack victim fears personal information could end
up on dark web
Bank fraud, dating scams continue to cost New Zealanders millions - CERT NZ
Warning: Fake tax refund, cost of living payment messages being used to scam
Kiwis
Read More
Sign up to receive news updates
Subscribe
By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Access and Privacy Policy
Cool Gadgets

15 Ridiculously Cool Gifts You'll Want To Buy Immediately15 Insanely Cool
Gadgets You'll Regret Not Getting Before They Sell OutCool Gadgets|
SponsoredSponsored
Read More


Undo

investing.com

Greta Thunberg's Car Shocks The World, Proof In Picturesinvesting.com|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Her Life & Health

Controversial "Skinny Pill" Takes Australia By StormHer Life & Health|
SponsoredSponsored
Learn More


Undo

So Trends

This shaver is 10x more powerful than razorsThe professional shaver that doesn't
irritate your skinSo Trends|
SponsoredSponsored
Learn More


Undo

Vitaminews

Take A Look Inside Whoopi Goldbergs Repulsive HomeVitaminews|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Housediver

Puppy Refuses To Leave Railway Police Turns Pale When They Realize What He Is
HidingHousediver|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Gloriousa

Hilarious Windshield Notes Left Drivers LaughingGloriousa|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

ACCIONA

New bridge over legendary Pacific routeACCIONA|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Learn It Wise

Boy (8) Meets Newborn Sister After He Says This Dad Files For DivorceLearn It
Wise|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Rest Wow

40 Things About Shawshank Redemption Most Fans Never Figured OutRest Wow|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Horizontimes

Stuck In The Middle Of The Sea, This Place Has Been Abandoned For
DecadesHorizontimes|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
https://www.totaladblock.com/

Most Windows Users Didn't Know Their PC Did This (Do It
Now)https://www.totaladblock.com/|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo


Tips and Tricks

This is how you remove weeds effortlesslyTips and Tricks|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

USA Public

The USA government has opened the registration - Green card lotteryUSA Public|
SponsoredSponsored
Click Here


Undo
Investing 1st

These U.S. States Will Basically Be Empty By 2030Investing 1st|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Little Fries

Wife Laughs At Husband's Container House, Then She Sees InsideLittle Fries|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Financial 10

Warning: 14 Products To Never Buy At CostcoFinancial 10|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Free Hub

Everyone Laughed At Her At The Wedding, See Her Transformation 6 Years LaterFree
Hub|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Wanderoam

Officer Refused Service At A Restaurant, Next Day He Does ThisWanderoam|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Housediver

How The Perfect Female Body Looked Like 100 Years Ago (and every decade
since)Housediver|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo


Rich Houses

The U.S. Military Just Built Something ImpossibleRich Houses|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Student Sea

Farmer Finds Strange Eggs In His Harvest - When He Sees Them Hatch, He Bursts
Into TearsStudent Sea|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

WW IQ Test

The Average IQ in Australia is 99. Take this IQ test and check if your IQ is
higherWW IQ Test|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Student Sea

Woman Gave Street Kid $30 - Years Later She's Confused When Stranger Knocks On
DoorStudent Sea|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Power Knee Pro

Seniors say it's like getting a new pair of knees!Power Knee Pro|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

Student Sea

Husband Sees Wife Got Yellow Wristband At Hospital And Instantly Called The
Police.Student Sea|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo

The Joint Helper

Arthritis: A simple trick to relieve pain easilyThe Joint Helper|
SponsoredSponsored
Get Offer


Undo
Health Natural

Breakfast: 15 Foods Never To Eat In The MorningHealth Natural|
SponsoredSponsored
Click Here


Undo





More From Newshub

Parents warned about helping kids buy first home after mum loses $50,000


Undo

Lorde suggests split from Justin Warren, shares shocking health update about
'really inflamed' body


Undo

Heartbreaking news emerges of Bruce Willis' health


Undo






 * 
 *  * Contact
    * Website Terms and Conditions
    * Privacy Notice
    * Advertise with Us
    * Subscribe to our Newsletter
    * Complaints

 * Copyright © 2023 Discovery NZ Limited (Warner Bros. Discovery) - All Rights
   Reserved


GET IN TOUCH

 * email
 * facebook
 * twitter



IC Markets

Trade gold CFDs with a trusted broker | Open an account todayIC Markets|
SponsoredSponsored
Solar Systems & Panels | Search Ads

Solar Panel Prices Revealed: Get Ready for 2023 CostsSolar Systems & Panels |
Search Ads|
SponsoredSponsored
https://www.totaladblock.com/

Turn Off All Annoying Ads in Chrome Today!https://www.totaladblock.com/|
SponsoredSponsored