Go to whole of WA Government search

Global Sex Offender and Criminal Organisation (GSOCO) scam

Global Sex Offender and Criminal Organisation (GSOCO) scam

You wouldn’t expect a SCAMMER to ask YOU for an identity verification and criminal record check but that’s exactly what’s been happening to dating and social network website users.

Like most scams there are several layers of fakery to this one.

First there are the bogus dating website profiles and social media accounts. 

After connecting with potential victims and chatting to them under the guise of a lonely male or female, the scammers suggest a face-to-face meet-up.

But first they say they need to know it’s safe to meet up with that person; to make sure the person isn’t a criminal or on the sex offenders register.

Here’s the catch…they provide the link to the background check website run by Global Sex Offender and Criminal Organisation (GSOCO) – this a fake organisation created as part of the fraud. 

WEEBLYverificationsBbGlobalVerificationsCbGSOCOVerificationExampleDb

To add extra legitimacy the scammers have even gone to the trouble of making fake business pages on Facebook.GSOCOFBGb

If you use the website to apply for a background check, the scammers get secure personal information from you and payment in the process.

Reported losses to WA ScamNet have been around the $1500 or $2000 mark.

In all the cases WA ScamNet has seen, the requests for money asked for payment by Western Union wire transfer to the Philippines.

Websites being used in these scams are being hosted on parent domains which allow internet users to register free websites, quickly and anonymously.

Four websites identified as being part of this scam have been reported to the registrar or parent website and are now closed:

  • http://verifcationsystem.weebly.com/gsoco.html
  • http://crbgsoco.tumblr.com
  • http://globalverificationsinc.webstarts.com/
  • http://gsocobeta.wix.com/gsoco

Be wary of any website offering criminal record checks as this information comes from law enforcement agencies. Only a person requesting their own history or an agency with information-sharing arrangements with the police (e.g. solicitors, military or intelligence) would have access to this data.

Read more on the Australian Government website or for WA specific information see Western Australian Police website. 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) logo has appeared on fake documents as part of this scam and WA ScamNet has notified the AFP of this.

If you have been targeted in a background verification scam, contact [ Article KFVHNRWQSQZRLEF5P63HLDFVNMUO1S not found.].