Scammers persist: not from Internal Affairs

24 November 2010

Internal Affairs is again warning people that phone scammers, claiming to be from the Department, are trying to cheat them out of money.

The phoney callers say that Internal Affairs is holding bank fee money that can be released by payment of a 'fee' or 'tax'.
Internal Affairs Deputy Secretary, Craig Armitage, said the callers prey on the vulnerable and the Department knows that people have been conned – most recently an elderly woman lost $1000.

“The Department has nothing to do with these callers and has reported the calls to the police. The Department does not hold bank fees for anyone or ring people offering money for a fee,” Mr Armitage said.

“The callers are quite persistent and in some cases refer to the victim’s date of birth and who they bank with. They’ve also claimed on occasions to be acting on behalf of Inland Revenue.

“Unfortunately people have fallen victim and sent money to the scammers via their local post shop.”

Anyone who is suspicious of a call purporting to be from Internal Affairs can ask for the caller's name, and ring to confirm on an Internal Affairs number published in the White Pages or on the Department's official website under 'General Enquiries' (Phone (04) 495 7200). They should also contact their local police, and ask that they forward their statements to the officer investigating this scam, quoting case file number 100827/0843.

Media contact:
Trevor Henry, communications adviser, Department of Internal Affairs
Ph 04 495 7211; cell 0275 843 679