A WA woman has lost more than $10,000 in an online romance scam after a fraudster used stolen social media images to pose as a ship captain called ‘Thomas Steve’.

WA ScamNet has received reports about a number of fake websites selling cheap outboard motors.

Beware of fake websites and social media accounts that claimed to puppies, leaving buyers out of pocket and without a dog.

Scammers are targeting consumers selling cars online. These scams usually work by getting you to ‘refund’ a scammer who has sent you too much money for an item you are selling or to forward the additional funds to someone else to cover costs such as shipping.

Hearing about bushfires, floods, cyclones or earthquakes makes most of us want to give but for scammers it’s an opportunity to take.

You have just received an urgent email from your bank notifying you of fraudulent activity. If you receive an email call from someone purporting to be from your bank and requesting account and password details, do not respond. Immediately contact your bank. Do not use the telephone number the email has provided.

Scammers have set up a fake investment company to defraud investors using the name of an investment company based in Hong Kong.

A fake travel agency is targeting job-seekers in a ‘money mule’ scam where they are offered employment to receive and transfer funds via their personal bank account.

Scammers claim they have created a video of the recipient watching adult content and threaten to send it to their social media contacts if they are not paid a sum of money.

Consumers need to be careful about which online retailers they use after at least two cases where people ordered barbecue equipment that never arrived.

A fake business called ‘You Compares’ (not to be confused with authentic comparison website YouCompare) are stealing money after promising savings on household bills.

Businesses are often targeted by scammers hoping that busy firms may sign invoices without checking their authenticity. Sometimes these fake invoices are for a listing in a publication which the business hasn’t ordered.

A fake online questionnaire claiming to be from popular chemists are doing the rounds. People receive a link to the survey, which may even appear to be sent by a friend or family member.

Tax time could really be taxing if you give out personal details to scammers impersonating the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). WA ScamNet has renewed its warnings about fake tax communications after fresh reports of emails claiming to be from the ATO. Do not click on any links. Just delete it. 

The Chinese community are being targeted by random calls claiming to be checking a visa application, a package with fraudulent documents or a money laundering investigation with huge losses reported.

Social networking sites aren’t always as friendly as they seem. While they can help you meet new people online, catch up with the latest goss and find friends from long ago, some of these sites are also targeted by scammers trying to make money out of you.

Cold callers are asking for a ‘fee’ to keep you on the Do Not Call Register. The callers claim they are from the ACMA’s Do Not Call Register and ask for your credit card details.