TRANSCRIPT
Hamza came to Australia from Saudi Arabia in late 2022 and has nearly finished his degree.
The 23-year-old has lost count of the number of scams he's had to dodge - including a suspicious phone call just months ago.
“They were talking about a discount for gift for bed mattresses. And I told them, what's the company name? They won't give me the company name. They're just like, just send your bank account details, and then we'll deliver, we'll deliver the mattress to you. I kind of knew it was a scam.”
The AFP says it's seeing more international students being asked to sell their bank and ID details.
Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson has issued an urgent warning for students leaving Australia after university.
“They're offering quick cash... then these assets are used for laundering proceeds of crime, cyber crime attacks. They're also deceiving victims into trusting fake identities.”
The Superintendent says students can be approached by criminal syndicates appearing to be legal that offer hundreds of dollars for the use of their Australian bank account.
Identity documents like passports, driver's licences or government-issued ID can also be used to open bank accounts in the victims' name.
The AFP says it's tracing more scam networks back to student accounts and is prosecuting those involved.
“They could be facing criminal charges for money laundering or fraud... This could be a consequence of visa refusal or cancelation, permanent bans from entering or re-entering Australia.”
The warning comes towards the end of the year when students are finishing their degrees and making a decision about whether to stay in Australia or return home.
The Superintendent says it can be a risky time for scams.
“The fact that they're probably leaving to go back home, you know in a few days time, it's an opportunity too good to refuse. And the criminals know that. Hence the reason why they're targetting those students... We want to make sure that the International students are being taken out of that formula.”
Mishween is a former student from India.
She says she lost 10,000 dollars to an fake ATO scam in 2021.
“It's just inhuman. There were a lot of doors that were shut as soon as I said that I was an international student. The only way you're going to come out of it is if you're aware of your rights.”
Students have been advised not to share personal details with anyone they don't know, say no if someone asks to use or 'borrow' their bank account, and reject any suspicious offers.
For anyone who is a scam victim - the AFP says stop communication with the scammer and report it.
Meanwhile, Hamza still has another semester of study and is unsure if he'll stay in Australia.
But he says he will stay vigilant.
“It's frustrating. Like whether I'm departing or just came here, it's still frustrating at the end of the day... So just got to stay aware. And that's all I have to say.”
