The Queensland Police Service is warning small businesses and virtual office businesses not to fall victim to overseas fraudsters after they identified a current fraud involving stolen credit cards.
The frauds involve two victims. Firstly, off shore criminals are making expensive online purchases from businesses across Australia
Having gained the purchase of the product sought the fraudster “hires” the services of a “virtual office provider” who are under instruction to receive the delivery of the purchased goods and then freight the goods to another destination, usually overseas.
State Crime Operations Command Fraud and Corporate Crime Group’s Detective Superintendent Brian Hay said the client will fraudulently purchase a product online, computers, mobile phones, computer games consoles, clothing etc and have it forwarded to an office location.
“None of the businesses have ever sighted any of their clients and in nearly all cases packages have been requested to be sent to Ghana
The virtual business will be paid for its services using skimmed international credit cards. These virtual businesses will be provided many different credit card details (many of which get declined) until the invoice is settled.
Detective Superintendent Hay said the virtual business environment is also a victim as their premises and services are also being paid for by stolen credit cards.
Police have issued the following points to be wary of:
- The “client” is overseas or purports to be interstate;
- The credit cards used are generally from overseas (os BINs);
- The “client” may use multiple credit cards as several may be rejected;
- The goods are required to be reshipped – generally to an overseas destination.
Initial investigations into complaints received by the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group have revealed more than $30,000 from the initial inquiries has been identified as being fraudulently obtained.
Detective Superintendent Hay said the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group has visited four virtual offices so far that have been targeted, but there are hundreds of virtual businesses across Australia
“Upwards of 20 false credit card numbers and details have been used in the four businesses alone, many of which are linked to overseas banks,” he said.
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland
