Indian migrant in Australia duped of $ 6,000 in phone scam

An Indian migrant in Australia has been duped of $ 6,000 in a phone scam. Swati Nagar had immigrated to Australia in 2017. She is now worried that her personal information could be again misused.

The phone number that appeared on the mobile phone of Swati showed that it was from the Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs. The person who called her identified himself as an immigration official. He said that there was an error on the immigration form filled by Swati. If this was not rectified, she would be arrested, imprisoned and would be fined for $ 20,000, said the person.

Swati Nagar holds an Australia PR and had immigrated to the nation in June 2017, as quoted by the SBS. She said that she was not aware of the warnings by several departments of the government of Australia.

Ms. Nagar further said that she was asked by the caller to choose between the immediate exit from Australia and reporting to the New Delhi or Australia High Commission or make payment of $ 6,000 for rectification of the error.

Swati said that she then handed over the call to Abhilash her husband. Her husband then continued the conversation and the couple transferred $ 6,000 via Money Gram and Western Union.

The phone number that appeared on the mobile of Swati actually turned out to be the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s emergency consular helpline.

The DFAT said that it is aware of the phone scam that involves the callers asking individuals to make payment to avoid being deported from Australia.

The Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs has posted a warning on its website. It advises individuals to disconnect the calls if in case the caller asks for making payments to avoid being deported. The department has advised the people to get in touch with the police and Department of Home affairs in such instances.

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