Police are urging Box Hill residents to be wary following reports of an ongoing arrest warrant scam.
Investigators have received reports of residents being contacted by someone claiming to be from the Box Hill Police Station and asking for their tax file number.
The victim is then told an arrest warrant is in existence and asks for the nearest police station to the victim.
The local police station phone number is then cloned before a second offender calls the victim claiming to be from that station.
Victims are then told to purchase gift cards and supply the card numbers and expiry dates to the scammer by communication apps.
Officers would like to speak to anyone who has been the recent victim of this scam and is reminding residents that Victoria Police and other government agencies will never ask for payment for any transaction via gift card.
The Federal government also provides a website which offers proactive advice for people who have been the victim of a scam: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
Information regarding a similar scam from 2015 is available at the website: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news/telephone-calls-alleging-fake-arrest-…
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
