Police have warned New Zealanders to be vigilant as scam callers allege people are under investigation by the IRD.
New Zealand police are warning Chinese international students to be aware after receiving multiple complaints about a recent fake kidnapping scam.
The scam targets international students and their families back home in China, Detective Senior Sergeant Bridget Doell says.
Scammers have first made contact with Chinese community members in NewZealand by calling them with an automated message claiming to be from the Chinese Consulate.
Some of those receiving the calls have followed instructions in the message before speaking with a person, who convinced them to provide their personal details as well as information about their family in China.
The scammers next call family members in China to demand money, saying their relative in New Zealand has been kidnapped.
"Government agencies will never ask for your personal information on the phone, and you should never give out private details to people you do not know and trust," Sen Sgt Doell said.
"Our message to the public is simple – do not engage with anyone on the phone if you think you are being scammed."
She said New Zealand police had received several complaints about the scam in the past week and were aware of the scam taking place in other countries also.
