39 Backpackers fell victim to a fraudulent scam after a male advertising farm work in the south of WA on a social internet site collected accommodation and travel expenses in excess of $5,000 and then failed to appear a few days later to collect them as arranged.
On Tuesday the 3rd of April and Wednesday the 4th of April, 2012, several applicants responded to a local internet advertisement requesting their attendance at a Perth Hotel to take part in an interview. There they met with a male person who claimed to be looking for casual fruit pickers for a family operated business owned by his Lebanese family. Each applicant was asked to surrender $150 in cash, $120 for the accommodation and $30 for the travel expenses, to secure a position as well as copies of passports, bank details, tax file numbers and work visas.
Following the interview the male arranged to meet the group members at 12.00pm on Sunday the 8th of April at the same city hotel, but failed to show, leaving the interviewee’s angry and out of pocket.
Detectives have released an image of a male who may be able to assist with the inquiry.
The male is described as:
- Dark complexion
- Around 30 years of age
- 185cm
- Solid fat build
- Short black hair
- Unshaven
- Wearing a white t-shirt and jeans on one occasion and a light coloured t-shirt with a large image on the front and dark coloured pants on the other.
If you know the identity of this male or have information about this offence make a report online or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, where all calls are strictly confidential, and rewards are offered. Please quote Reference Number 6040.