Australians are being warned of a sophisticated new scam targeting them through advertisements for “free” tai chi classes. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a nationwide alert after numerous reports of people losing thousands of dollars to this deceptive scheme over recent months.
The scam operates by luring unsuspecting individuals with ads for free tai chi sessions advertised on fake social media pages. Once a person expresses interest or joins, they are contacted via a phone call or message. These communications then instruct the victim to download an application, ostensibly to register for the classes.
However, this downloaded app is not for class registration. Instead, it’s a Trojan horse, embedding malware onto the user’s device. This malicious software grants scammers direct access to the device, enabling them to steal sensitive financial information and drain bank accounts.
While tai chi classes are the current focus, authorities have noted similar fraudulent advertisements have also been used to promote fake classes for other activities, including dancing, walking, and hiking.
A Pensioner’s Devastating Experience
One victim, a pensioner named Heather Janine, recounted her harrowing encounter with the scam. She stumbled upon a sponsored post on Facebook for a group called ‘Aussie Tai Chi Community’. After clicking on the advertisement, she was soon contacted by a woman identifying herself as Ivy Lunar. Ms Janine described being “pressured” by Lunar to download an app, which was presented as a way to view the local class timetable.
Within a mere 15 minutes of downloading the app, Ms Janine found that over $5,000 had been siphoned from all her bank accounts. “It all happened within the span of 15 minutes, so they knew what they were doing,” she stated, clearly distressed. She added, “It was dreadful, my phone was essentially cloned somehow for them to get access to my accounts, it was just terrible.” Her experience highlights the speed and efficiency with which these scammers operate.
Scams: Increasingly Sophisticated and Evolving
Detective Superintendent Matt Craft, Commander of the NSW Police Cyber Crime Squad, has emphasised the growing sophistication of these scams. He explained to the ABC that the malware deployed in such attacks poses an extreme risk, not just of financial loss, but also of identity theft. “That [malware] then places that particular victim at extreme risk of losing not only their personal identification, their name, their date of birth but also banking credentials,” Superintendent Craft stated.
He further elaborated that the theme of the scam is secondary to the method. “Whilst it’s tai chi scams today, it could be parenting classes tomorrow, it could be a mechanical chat group. The scam is similar; it’s just the topic that changes.” This adaptability means that any online advertisement or offer that seems too good to be true should be treated with extreme caution, regardless of the subject matter.
Targeting Vulnerable Australians
Jayde Richmond, general manager of the National Anti-Scam Centre, confirmed that Scamwatch has seen a significant increase in reports related to this particular scam. The average reported loss among victims is around $5,000. “That’s well above what we would see in average loses for these types of scams, so once they get access it can be particularly damaging,” Ms Richmond commented.
She also pointed out a concerning strategy employed by the scammers: “Part of this strategy is really targeting the types of activities that some of our older Australians might be interested in.” This suggests a deliberate effort to exploit the trust and potentially less tech-savvy nature of some elderly individuals.
Protecting Yourself from Online Deception
Ms Richmond issued a stern warning: scammers can be anywhere, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. “The victims are going to find it incredibly difficult to think there’s anything unusual about it,” she acknowledged, understanding how convincing these deceptions can be.
The advice for anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim is clear and urgent:
- Act Immediately: If you have downloaded a suspicious link or provided personal information, take swift action.
- Contact Your Bank: Immediately secure your bank accounts by contacting your financial institution.
- Report the Scam: Report the incident to Scamwatch. This helps authorities track and combat these fraudulent activities.
By remaining vigilant and following these protective measures, Australians can better safeguard themselves against the ever-evolving landscape of online scams.
