Australians are being targeted in a sophisticated new scam that lures victims with promises of free tai chi classes, only to install malware on their devices and steal their money. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a nationwide alert, warning citizens to be wary of advertisements for these classes appearing on social media platforms. Reports indicate losses averaging $5,000 per victim, significantly higher than typical scam-related financial damage.
The scam operates by advertising “free” tai chi classes on fake social media pages. Individuals who express interest are then contacted and pressured into downloading an application to register for the sessions. However, this application isn’t legitimate; it immediately installs malware, granting scammers access to personal and financial information. This type of scam is increasingly common, with scammers adapting their tactics to exploit current interests and vulnerabilities.
Heather Janine, a pensioner from Adelaide, shared her harrowing experience with the ABC, detailing how she lost over $5,000 in just 15 minutes after contacting a Facebook group called ‘Aussie Tai Chi Community’ through a sponsored post. Janine recounted being contacted by a woman identifying herself as Ivy Lunar, who urged her to download an app to view the class schedule. “It all happened within the span of 15 minutes, so they knew what they were doing,” Janine said. “It was dreadful, my phone was essentially cloned somehow for them to get access to my accounts, it was just terrible.”
Authorities are warning that this scam isn’t limited to tai chi. The ACCC and Scamwatch have also received reports of similar fraudulent advertisements for dancing, walking, and hiking classes. Detective Superintendent Matt Craft, Commander of the NSW Police Cyber Crime Squad, emphasized the evolving nature of these scams. “Whilst it’s tai chi scams today, it could be parenting classes tomorrow, it could be a mechanical chat group,” he said, noting that the core tactic remains consistent – enticing victims with appealing offers and then exploiting their trust.
Rising Losses and Sophisticated Tactics
The financial impact of these scams is substantial. According to Jayde Richmond, general manager of the National Anti-Scam Centre, Scamwatch has seen a recent increase in reports, with average losses reaching $5,000. This is “well above what we would notice in average loses for these types of scams,” Richmond stated, highlighting the significant damage inflicted on victims. The scammers appear to be specifically targeting older Australians, capitalizing on their interests and potentially lower levels of tech savviness.
The malware installed through these fraudulent apps allows scammers to access not only banking credentials but also personal identification information, such as names and dates of birth. This stolen data can be used for further fraudulent activities, compounding the harm to victims. Superintendent Craft explained that the malware places victims at “extreme risk of losing not only their personal identification… but also banking credentials.”
Protecting Yourself from Malware Scams
The ACCC and Scamwatch are urging anyone who believes they may have been targeted by this scam to take immediate action. This includes contacting their bank to secure their accounts and reporting the incident to Scamwatch. Scamwatch provides resources and guidance on how to protect yourself from scams and what to do if you become a victim.
Richmond warned that scammers are adept at appearing legitimate and exploiting people’s trust. “The victims are going to find it incredibly demanding to think there’s anything unusual about it,” she said. Her advice is simple: if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is. Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading applications from unfamiliar sources, especially those promoted through social media advertisements.
This scam underscores the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and their ability to adapt their tactics to exploit current trends and vulnerabilities. As scammers continue to evolve their methods, vigilance and awareness remain the most effective defenses.
Looking ahead, authorities will likely focus on disrupting the infrastructure used by these scammers and raising public awareness about the risks. Continued collaboration between law enforcement, financial institutions, and consumer protection agencies will be crucial in combating this evolving threat. Share this information with your friends and family to help protect them from becoming the next victim.
