Whangaparaoa Couple Lose $25,000 To Scammers
September 11, 2015 | Fraud
A retired couple who thought a scammer could never pull the wool over their eyes have been fleeced for $25,000.
The North Auckland pair wish to remain anonymous but want their story heard so others don't suffer similar frustrations, sleepless nights and tears from being suckered.
"It's horrible. We were so stupid it's unbelievable," the devastated Whangaparaoa couple say.
"We fell in this trap, we never thought we would, but we did - badly."
The two began looking for a campervan last week to mooch around New Zealand, like they did in a van in their younger days.
They searched extensively on the internet and found campers in various conditions around the country.
The couple's queries were met by friendly owners with one offering to pick them up at Christchurch airport when they said they were interested in flying down to check it out.
Then they spotted a six berth Ford Transit camper in Dunedin in great condition for $24,900 on postanote.co.nz and emailed the owner with their contact deals on Tuesday.
Owner 'Allan Watt' got in touch saying his family had returned to Britain and the van was with freight company Direct Cargo Ltd.
He could arrange shipping and the company would hold the money for five days. If the couple weren't happy with the camper they would receive a full refund.
He gave them the company's website details so they could check it out.
The couple asked if they could pick the van up from Dunedin.
Watt emailed to say this wasn't possible as it was ready to ship. His father-in-law had cancer so the family had left for Britain and the money was to be used for his treatment.
He followed up by phone with a friendly chat, even asking the couple to send a photo of them on their first holiday.
A contract was sent from Cargo Direct with payment details.
The couple transferred the money on Thursday.
On Friday they became suspicious.
Watt had never sent his phone number as requested, the van's registration was cropped out of photos, Direct Cargo's phone was never answered and Watt's Spanish accent now worried them.
"In hindsight we think alarm bells should have rung. But we were swept along in our own enthusiasm," they say.
They contacted Dunedin police, who suspected it to be a scam, then rushed to the bank to cancel the payment - but it was too late.
Police say Direct Cargo's Dunedin number was registered in New South Wales.
When called by this reporter for comment, a man named Anthony from Direct Cargo answered but hung up when questioned.
Now on a pension, the couple say they will never be able to save such money.
"It's gone and that hurts when you have been so stupid," they say.
"It's not going to destroy us. But it could be huge pressure on people in a different financial situation."
They warn others not to be taken in by websites and to realise New Zealand phone numbers can be used from overseas.
Watt has since called them and been given a piece of the couple's mind.
Direct Cargo has also been in touch.
One of their delivery trucks crashed on Friday so delivery was delayed, the couple were told.
The couple also had a further request from Direct Cargo for $11,500 as the firm told them the vehicle was under-insured for delivery and the "bond" would be refunded after they got the camper.
Scammers claiming millions
More than $400 million flows out of New Zealand every year to an international network of scammers targeting innocent and quick to trust Kiwis, online safety organisation NetSafe says.
Almost 5300 incidents with financial losses have been recorded this year, demonstrating online threats appear to be having an increasingly significant impact, Netsafe digital project manager Chris Hails says.
It is important to identify what is real, and what is trying to trick you, he says
People are warned to only deal with people in New Zealand, make sure they are given adequate contact details and to spend time checking out the seller.
Postanote.co.nz general manager Nathan Werthington has worked in the online classified industry in North America and Britain and says the culture of Kiwis being comfortable sending large sums to unknown people needs to change, as they are becoming easy prey.
"We have fraudsters coming in who have been whittling it out in the rest of the world for nickels and dimes and they are coming down here and taking Kiwis for thousands at a time.
"If we don't get on top of it it's going to get worse," Werthington says.
Postanote has been online for two years and has just had to deal with its first two scams.
Werthington's message to people is not to send money.
"Do it in person, in a safe place."
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- Article originally on stuff.co.nz.
