QLD POLICE LEADING THE WAY IN FIGHT AGAINST NIGERIAN FRAUD: SPENCE
Published Monday, 08 October, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Australia’s first National Symposium on Nigerian Fraud is being held in Brisbane today.
Addressing the symposium, Police Minister Judy Spence commended the Queensland Police Service Fraud and Corporate Crime Group for leading the way in addressing the emerging crime.
“It is estimated that Australians lose $5 billion every year to fraud, and Nigerian fraud is a significant contributor to this loss,” Ms Spence said.
“In fact, the Queensland Police Service Fraud and Corporate Crime Group has discovered that Australians lose millions of dollars every month to Nigerian fraud and this is a global phenomenon that generates many millions of dollars for organised criminals across the globe.
“It is because of the work of the Queensland Police Service Fraud and Corporate Crime Group that community awareness of this area of crime is growing and the perpetrators are being caught.”
Ms Spence said police involved in Operation Echo Track – which was set up to investigate the impact of Nigerian Fraud in Queensland – have worked hard on consumer protection through education and awareness, and have developed strong national and international relationships.
“The officers involved in Operation Echo Track have been relentless in their goal to alert the public to this evolving crime,” Ms Spence said.
“During the operation, 139 Queenslanders were contacted and queried as to why they sent money to Nigeria.
“It was established that 135 were victims of Nigerian fraud and this victim group had collectively been defrauded in excess of $18.2 million.
“The societal impact caused by Nigerian fraud is devastating, and is known to result in attempted suicides, divorce, depression, bankruptcy and even the commission of other crimes by victims of this insidious activity.
“It is clear, the best way to prevent fraud from happening is to increase community awareness and I congratulate the officers from Operation Echo Track for their success in this area, and for their efforts to partner with industries to develop a whole-of-community approach to combating this area of crime.”
Commissioner Bob Atkinson said today’s symposium will see overseas guests from the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Ghana Police, Hong Kong Police and the FBI.
“This is an exciting and groundbreaking initiative by the Queensland Police Service which will provide the foundation for future strategies to protect Queenslanders and Australians from transnational criminals,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
Representatives from America, New Zealand and the Philippines have travelled to Brisbane for the two day Symposium.
Various Federal and State government agencies will also be in attendance in what will be the catalyst for holistic strategic discussions on the impact of Nigerian fraud and the future direction for law enforcement.
Note: Many of these attendees and presenters will be available for interview and comment and media representatives are welcomed to attend the majority of presentations.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287 Police Media: 3015 2444
Addressing the symposium, Police Minister Judy Spence commended the Queensland Police Service Fraud and Corporate Crime Group for leading the way in addressing the emerging crime.
“It is estimated that Australians lose $5 billion every year to fraud, and Nigerian fraud is a significant contributor to this loss,” Ms Spence said.
“In fact, the Queensland Police Service Fraud and Corporate Crime Group has discovered that Australians lose millions of dollars every month to Nigerian fraud and this is a global phenomenon that generates many millions of dollars for organised criminals across the globe.
“It is because of the work of the Queensland Police Service Fraud and Corporate Crime Group that community awareness of this area of crime is growing and the perpetrators are being caught.”
Ms Spence said police involved in Operation Echo Track – which was set up to investigate the impact of Nigerian Fraud in Queensland – have worked hard on consumer protection through education and awareness, and have developed strong national and international relationships.
“The officers involved in Operation Echo Track have been relentless in their goal to alert the public to this evolving crime,” Ms Spence said.
“During the operation, 139 Queenslanders were contacted and queried as to why they sent money to Nigeria.
“It was established that 135 were victims of Nigerian fraud and this victim group had collectively been defrauded in excess of $18.2 million.
“The societal impact caused by Nigerian fraud is devastating, and is known to result in attempted suicides, divorce, depression, bankruptcy and even the commission of other crimes by victims of this insidious activity.
“It is clear, the best way to prevent fraud from happening is to increase community awareness and I congratulate the officers from Operation Echo Track for their success in this area, and for their efforts to partner with industries to develop a whole-of-community approach to combating this area of crime.”
Commissioner Bob Atkinson said today’s symposium will see overseas guests from the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Ghana Police, Hong Kong Police and the FBI.
“This is an exciting and groundbreaking initiative by the Queensland Police Service which will provide the foundation for future strategies to protect Queenslanders and Australians from transnational criminals,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
Representatives from America, New Zealand and the Philippines have travelled to Brisbane for the two day Symposium.
Various Federal and State government agencies will also be in attendance in what will be the catalyst for holistic strategic discussions on the impact of Nigerian fraud and the future direction for law enforcement.
Note: Many of these attendees and presenters will be available for interview and comment and media representatives are welcomed to attend the majority of presentations.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287 Police Media: 3015 2444