Imagine waking up one day to find your entire life savings—over $320,000—gone, siphoned away by faceless criminals who manipulated your every move.
For one Sydney nurse, Amelia (name changed for privacy), this nightmare became a reality, leaving her not only financially devastated but emotionally scarred.
It all started innocently enough. Amelia received a call from what appeared to be her credit card company.
The number matched her bank’s official line, so she had no reason to suspect anything was amiss. But this was no ordinary customer service call—it was the beginning of a sophisticated, chilling scam that would upend her life.
A web of deceit: How the scam unfolded
The scammers told Amelia her credit card had been used to buy drugs online and that she needed to speak to the police.
The call was transferred—seamlessly, convincingly—to someone claiming to be a Chinese police officer. What followed was a masterclass in psychological manipulation.
Amelia was accused of being part of a criminal syndicate involved in money laundering. The threats escalated: arrest, deportation, jail.
The scammers insisted she was under investigation and must remain under 24/7 surveillance. For two months, they kept her on live calls and video streams, isolating her from friends and family, and ensuring she didn’t break their ‘rules’.
‘They had me be on a live call and video live stream for two months to make sure I did not break any rules while I was under investigation,’ Amelia recalled.
‘At the time, I was very scared so I just don’t think I could make any rational decisions.’
Coached to perfection
The scammers didn’t just threaten—they coached. They taught Amelia how to make large international bank transfers without raising red flags, even providing her with scripts to use if questioned by bank staff.
She was told to remain calm, to say the money was for a cousin’s IT start-up, and to expect certain questions from the bank.
‘They told me all the bank’s policies and how to bypass the security system and told me the story to use,’ she said.
‘They said if I did not look calm and if the transaction didn’t go through, I would go to jail. There was a lot of fear and manipulation on their end.’
Over the course of several transactions, Amelia transferred her life savings—$134,000 from her mortgage offset to her own ANZ account, then $200,000 from ANZ to the scammers, and later another $120,000. She even topped up her home loan by $60,000, telling the bank it was for renovations.
The aftermath: Banks, blame, and heartbreak
Despite some warnings and temporary holds, the banks ultimately processed the transactions.
When the truth came out, Amelia was told by both CBA and ANZ that, because she had authorised the transfers and provided plausible explanations, they were not liable for her losses.
CBA offered a small goodwill payment, which Amelia declined, feeling it was a pittance compared to her loss. ANZ also offered a settlement, which she accepted out of desperation.
The banks insisted they had followed protocol, but Amelia believes more could have been done.
‘They should have been suspicious about the international transfer, they should have questioned more about such a large sum, they did not have measures in place to protect victims of scams such as myself, acting under duress and fear for their safety,’ she said.
The emotional toll
The financial loss was only part of the devastation. Amelia was left with a $250,000 debt, her mortgage repayments skyrocketed, and she struggled with depression and shame.
She kept the ordeal secret from her family, masking her pain while trying to keep her life together.
‘I went from losing savings from over 15 years of my life to having a $250,000 debt, my mortgage repayments went from zero to $1000 a month while I couldn’t even find the will to live,’ she said.
Why are these scams so effective?
Scams like this are becoming more common—and more sophisticated. The ACCC reports that scam losses in Australia jumped 28 per cent in the first four months of this year alone, totalling nearly $119 million.
Criminals are investing time and resources into grooming their victims, often targeting cultural communities with tailored threats and fake documents, even forging signatures of high-profile officials like Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin says the shame and trauma from these scams can be overwhelming.
‘A lot of people who fall victim to scams will never tell anyone and live with guilt, shame and financial insecurity and very severe health impacts, including trauma.’
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Be sceptical of unsolicited calls—even if the number looks legitimate. Scammers can ‘spoof’ phone numbers to appear as your bank or a government agency.
- Never give out personal or banking details to anyone you don’t know or trust, especially over the phone or online.
- If you’re threatened or pressured, hang up and contact the organisation directly using a number from their official website.
- Talk to your bank if you’re unsure about a transaction. Ask them to double-check, and don’t be afraid to delay a transfer if you feel uneasy.
- Share your experience. Scammers rely on secrecy and shame. By talking about scams, you help others stay alert.
Are banks doing enough?
Amelia’s story raises tough questions about the role of banks in protecting customers. While banks have protocols and scam teams, the reality is that scammers are often one step ahead, coaching victims to say exactly what staff expect to hear.
Should banks be doing more to detect and prevent these sophisticated scams? Or is the onus on customers to be ever-vigilant?
Have you or someone you know been targeted?
Sadly, Amelia’s story is not unique. If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam, you’re not alone.
Support is available through organisations like Scamwatch, the ACCC, and financial counselling services.
We want to hear from you. Have you ever been targeted by a scam? Do you think banks should do more to protect customers? What advice would you give to others? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—your story could help someone else avoid a devastating loss.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Also read: Stay one step ahead: Five ways to stop online scams fast
Sounds like a Hollywood movie. Very sad story but we really need to realise that its quite easy to check these people out. Just ask for a phone number with a state code in front of it. I did once and they wanted me to ring +61 in front of the number… lol I then knew it was a scammer.
Why answer calls when you aren’t expecting any? if you don’t recognise people from your contacts, just ignore; if the ringing stressed you out and forced you to answer, put the phone in silence. If they are really important, whoever called would leave a message.
Then instead of calling that number back, go the website to verify whatever matter they left on the message; if needs be, call the involved organisation through the number on their website.