Bank teller saves woman losing $2000 to “cunning” romance scam

The lady went right into a Melbourne department of Nationwide Australia Financial institution to switch the cash to an individual abroad who she stated was her boyfriend.

However the worker, NAB Buyer Advisor Dilan Pathirannahalage, was suspicious.

The lady, who was in her 60s, wanted assist sending the cash when she went into the Cranbourne financial institution.

She stated she did not know the recipient’s surname – and Pathirannahalage determined to probe additional.

The lady scrolled via her textual content messages to search out the title, and confirmed the thread to Pathirannahalage, who seen very affectionate language.

“The messages have been very lovey dovey, and regarded like they have been getting more and more coercive,” he stated.

However the girl was adamant she wanted to ship the cash to her “boyfriend” for medical remedy.

“She instructed me her boyfriend, who she met on social media, lived in Turkey and wanted to fly to the UK for remedy, however his account had been frozen so was unable to obtain the funds from her,”  Pathirannahalage stated.

“He instructed her to as a substitute ship the cash to his buddy in Sydney who might then switch him the cash.

“The explanation she did not know who she was transferring the funds to was as a result of she had by no means met the particular person on the opposite finish of the road who she thought was her boyfriend, and so did not know their pals both.

“Despite the fact that the holes within the scammer’s story have been clear to me, she was blinded by her love for him. 

“These criminals are crafty and can prey on folks’s kindness to steal their cash.”

In the meantime, after he took the girl into a non-public room, the scammer truly phoned her in regards to the cash.

He contacted the financial institution’s fraud workforce to investigate- but in addition needed to persuade the girl she was being scammed.

“I stated ‘I might by no means do that if I have been you. I imagine you’re being scammed’,” he stated.

“Within the second, clients do not see you as somebody defending them from dropping their cash. You’re the one that is breaking their coronary heart.

“She was grateful for me intervening with the transaction, which had saved her from dropping a complete paycheque.”

He warned anyone uncertain of sending cash to anyone to only ask for assist.

NAB buyer reviews of romance scams are up nearly 30 per cent since final 12 months the financial institution stated.

NAB Government of Group Investigations Chris Sheehan stated it was very important Australians know find out how to recognise the pink flags.

“These scams can have a devastating influence – each monetary and emotional – and we see folks of all ages, genders and demographics focused,” Mr Sheehan, a former Australian Federal Police government, stated

“Whereas many Aussies now begin lengthy and profitable relationships on-line, it is important to know find out how to recognise a possible companion from a scammer.

“Romance and friendship scams re-enforce the necessity for a co-ordinated, nationwide method to the rip-off epidemic, given many begin on courting apps, social media platforms or messaging apps.”