Detectives from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group (FCCG) have extradited a 24-year-old woman from New South Wales by virtue of a Queensland arrest warrant in relation to Chinese authority and law enforcement impersonation scams.
The woman was arrested by detectives from the QPS Cyber Crime Unit, NSW Police Cybercrime Unit and NSW Police Public Order Response Squad at a unit in Ultimo, NSW on Wednesday.
FCCG detectives commenced Operation Xray Sonder on July 31 following an increase of reports in relation to Chinese authority and law enforcement impersonation scams targeting international students in Queensland.
In a recent reported scam, it will be alleged a victim was contacted and told they were linked to serious offences before being transferred to a person purporting to be a Chinese Police officer. It will be alleged the victim was threatened with prosecution and deportation if they did not comply.
The victim was allegedly coerced into performing various tasks, including handing over money and setting up bank accounts.
As a result of extensive investigations by FCCG detectives, with assistance from the NSW Police Cybercrime Unit and Australian Border Force, officers identified the location of a person purporting to be a Chinese police officer.
The 24-year-old woman and Chinese national was successfully extradited to Brisbane yesterday and is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today in relation to fraud offences.
Police would like to appeal to any international students who believe they have been a victim of a scam, or had contact from someone who claims to be a Chinese police officer or government official, to come forward. To report a cybercrime search ReportCyber or visit www.cyber.gov.au.
