NSW:Older people fall for internet scams

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2011
NSW:Older people fall for internet scams

SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - Older people often fall for internet scams and then become too
embarrassed to report the fraud, a study has found.

The over 55 age group accounts for 40 per cent of victims even though their age group
is less likely to use the internet, a study by the Australian Institute of Criminology
(AIC) has found.

The study surveyed 202 Victorians who had sent money to Nigeria to determine why they
had responded to unsolicited contact and the impact of the fraud on their lives.

Federal justice minister Brendan O'Connor said many victims were too embarrassed to
report the fraud to authorities.

"If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is," Mr O'Connor said.

"I urge all Australians to think before they provide money to people they have not met."

He said most frauds involved a so-called "advance fee", which promised to secure an
anticipated financial or other benefit at a later date.

The survey found that most victims had first been approached by email, with 35 per
cent responding to a web-based dating site while other scams started by post.

About three quarters of victims had sent money to offenders on more than one occasion
and more than 40 per cent had sent money five or more times.

Scams ranged from $100 to $120,000.

The average amount lost per victim was $12,000 and some had mortgaged their property.

Victims reported emotional trauma and marital repercussions.

The study says that fraudsters often manipulated altruism to achieve their aims, which
are difficult to counter as people wanted to make a positive gesture to a charity or a
relationship.

Scamwatch.gov.au allows people to report scams and frauds.

AAP lxs/it

KEYWORD: SCAM

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