Financial scam targeting international students

Message from Professor Sally Wheeler, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International & Corporate) to all students on Friday 26 August 2022 (UPDATED)

Dear students 

We are aware there is a sophisticated financial scam going around targeting international students at ANU and other Australian and international universities.  

The scammers have been targeting international students mainly, posing as Government officials, requiring that they transfer large sums of money with threats of deportation and imprisonment if they fail to cooperate.  

We understand this may be very distressing to our community and we just want to make sure you are all safe. Australian Government officials will never ask you to share your personal details or transfer money over the phone, or advise you not to contact anyone. If you receive a call like this, hang up the phone immediately and report it to ScamWatch. Do not send them any money or provide your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone. 

If you think you have been targeted in this scam, ANU is here to support you and you are not alone. 

If you think someone has your bank details, please contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible.

We want to reassure the community that you can trust ANU staff and Australian authorities when you report these types of incidents. We are here to help you. Australian Federal Police are aware of the situation and we are working closely with them.  

While this scam is mainly targeting international students, it is an important reminder of all our community to stay vigilant to stay protected against these things. ScamWatch provides some useful tips to help protect yourself from being victim of a scam. 

Please reach out for support if you need to and spread the message to your peers so we can all stay safe. 

Best 

Sally