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A Facebook scam is circulating in Western Australia, targeting victims of recent catastrophic floods in the state.
AAP is reporting that the scam, which, curiously, uses an image of a Serbian politician, links to a fake Facebook page. The scam offers flood victims $20,000 in compensation, but to access the funds, victims must first pay a fee.
They’re also required to share personally identifiable information. The scam appears to be shared by the victim’s friends.
Other scams are also circulating in the wake of the floods. Fake charities are being set up, and some scammers are even posing as fake disaster response agencies.
“Donors to flood victims are also urged to be vigilant as fake charities are being set up to steal money from the intended recipients. A fake Instagram account posing as a legitimate registered charity in Fitzroy Crossing is asking donors to buy Amazon e-gift cards,” an announcement from the office of Western Australia’s Commerce Minister, Sue Ellery, said.
Minister Ellery is outraged by the scams.
“We strongly advise people in flood-affected areas to be extremely careful and not click on links or give out personal information such as bank details in response to random messages received via text or social media,” Minister Ellery said.
“It is unbelievable that criminals have sought to exploit vulnerable people at a time when many of them have lost everything.”
The recent spate of floods in Western Australia destroyed 38 homes and over 30 businesses.
A list of licensed charities in WA can be found here.
The news comes a day after WA's state government announced a new hazard management framework for cyber crises. The government will liaise with local government and businesses to develop a State Hazard Plan for Cyber Security. The plan also calls for an investigation into including cyber hazards under current Emergency Management plans.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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