Someone claiming to represent a major telecommunications company contacted the victim on Monday, August 14.

The caller asked for the Batemans Bay’s man help to “break a fraud ring”.

Police said the victim was asked to give remote access to his computer, which he did.

The caller then claimed to have deposited funds into one of the victim’s bank accounts and asked him to purchase credit cards from department and supermarket stores.

However, the caller had actually transferred funds between two of the victim’s own accounts.

The offender(s) then used the freshly purchased store card numbers to scam the man of $25,000. 

A local department store contacted the police because staff were concerned about excessive purchases.

Police urge the public to be alert to scams, particularly by phone or email.

Beware of any requests for your details or money. Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust. Don't agree to transfer money or goods for someone else: money laundering is a criminal offence.

Be wary of unusual payment requests. Scammers will often ask you to use an unusual payment method, including preloaded debit cards, gift cards, store cards or virtual currency such as Bitcoin.

More information to protect yourself can be found on the Scamwatch website: www.scamwatch.gov.au.

Police are asking anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/.  Alternatively please call your local police station. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.