U.S Embassy to conduct open discussion on Internet Based Financial Scams and Identity Theft

The United State Embassy in Port Moresby will conduct an open discussion on Internet Based Financial Scams and Identity Theft.  The event will be conducted at American Corner National Library, Waigani on 2nd April, 2015. . 

Background

Every day, people around the world fall victim to swindlers who steal money from trusting individuals through fraud and deception. Victims come from all ages and all socio-economic 

backgrounds. The U.S. Embassy has received reports that several individuals in Papua New Guinea 

have recently been the victim of internet-based fraud which have resulted in the loss of several 

thousand kina. 

Embassy officials will introduce what internet based scams are; what to look for to determine 

whether an offer is legitimate or fraudulent; how to avoid becoming a victim; and take questions 

from the audience. Embassy officials will also discuss how to prevent identity theft and the most 

recent trend in international financial scams taking place in Papua New Guinea where individuals 

posing as representatives from the “American Red Cross” email job offers to support flood relief 

efforts in the Philippines and then ask the recipient to wire money to them to pay for alleged visa 

fees, travel insurance, and plane tickets. After the money is sent, the job offer mysteriously 

disappears and the money is never refunded. These job offers are not legitimate, and the 

individuals sending the emails do not represent the American Red Cross.