June 19, 2010

Scams target Asian Australians


chinatown_sydney_100618_B_twipdotorg_137753910

A photo of Sydney's Chinatown.

www.sbs.com.au

Asian Australians are losing millions of dollars on Hong Kong-based lottery scams, according to authorities in Australia and abroad.

Hong Kong Police say fraudsters involved in a lottery scam will contact victims via email, telephone or SMS telling them they have won a cash prize.

They will then ask the victim for an 'administration fee' before the cash can be deposited into his or her account.

The scam has netted nearly $A22 million in the last two years alone.

"…[T]here has been a number of Lottery Frauds reported to the Hong Kong Police by overseas Chinese living in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore," Hong Kong Police's Commercial Crime Bureau said in a written statement.

"In 2009, Hong Kong Police received complaints of Lottery Fraud that amounted to over 71 million Hong Kong Dollars ($A10.5 million)."

Hong Kong Police have offered advice to potential victims on how to stay safe from such scams.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says it has received more than 330 complaints of scams targeting the Asian community.

ACCC's Peter Kell says the number may be a lot higher, with victims reluctant to report the scams to authorities.

Another scam involves convincing victims their relatives have been kidnapped, and demanding thousands of dollars in 'ransom' to free them.

Earlier this year, NSW Police issued a warning to Asian business owners in Sydney's inner-west to contact authorities immediately if they received threatening or abusive phone calls.

'We are treating these reports seriously and we encourage members of the Asian business community to continue to report these matters," Detective Sgt Aaron Power from Burwood Local Command said. 

Hong Kong Police has issued a video handout in Cantonese with Mandarin subtitles with re-enactments of the scams.


Weird News: Tiger, camels stolen in bungled car theft


Tiger, camels stolen in bungled car theft

A "delightful" Bengal tiger named Jonas and two camels named Todd and Sean, have gone missing in eastern Canada after thieves drove off with the truck and trailer they were travelling in.

Latest Indigenous News

Indigenous runners take on Dili marathon
This weekend a group of Indigenous runners will compete in the Dili marathon in East Timor in preparation for the New York marathon later this year.

Local government body claims CDEP backflip
The Northern Territory's Local Government Association says the Federal Government has changed its mind about funding an Indigenous employment program that was due to wind up at the end of the month.

Park money angers Aborigines
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre is angry the Tasmanian Government is pressing ahead with plans for a Bay of Fires National Park.

Latest Australian Environment News

Jacob's Ladder repaired
Perth exercise enthusiasts will be able to return to Jacob's Ladder next week.

Call to scrap Ningaloo's World Heritage nomination
Business and community groups in Exmouth have renewed calls for the Ningaloo coast's nomination for World Heritage Listing to be scrapped.

Forestry groups and environmentalists go their own way
A forestry roundtable to thrash out a way forward for the industry in Tasmania has been sidelined in favour of private talks between environmentalists and the timber sector.

Science and Technology News


Hobart schools ecology centre an Australian first
Australia's first science and ecology learning centre is to be built in Hobart.

Local water study to help other inland towns
Researchers hope a study of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's future water needs will help other inland communities deal with climate change.

Russian, US astronauts dock with space station
A Russian space craft carrying a Russian cosmonaut and two US astronauts has docked successfully with the International Space Station (ISS), mission control officials say.

Latest Health News

Jacob's Ladder repaired
Perth exercise enthusiasts will be able to return to Jacob's Ladder next week.

Autistic support group seeks funding assurances
A support group for autistic children in northern Tasmania says the state government failed to provide guaranteed ongoing funding in this week's budget.

Research finds injecting rooms improve chance of rehab
Medical researchers have found supervised drug injecting rooms help improve the chances of drug users getting further treatment.

Latest Arts and Entertainment News

Sports stadium proposed for Burswood
The member for South Perth John McGrath says the proposed sports stadium for Burswood is necessary if Perth is to get in line with major cities around the world.

Potter fans go wild for wizard theme park
Harry Potter fans blocked Orlando's main highway in their efforts to enter the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park that officially opened in the United States on Friday.

Timeless wristwatches defy mobile phones
For most of last century, the wristwatch regulated the lives of billions of people across the planet.

Latest Australian Sports News

Dipper offers apology for 'Abo' remark
Former Brownlow medallist Robert DiPierdomenico is "ashamed" and has been stood down as an AFL Auskick ambassador after admitting to a racist slur.

Young Panther has world at his feet
Captain Luke Lewis believes baby-faced full-back Lachlan Coote has the talent to challenge Billy Slater as the game's number one full-back in a few years following the 20-year-old's outstanding display in Penrith's 22-12 win over Brisbane at Lang Park.

Titans beat Dogs but lose Prince
A Scott Prince hamstring injury marred Gold Coast's gritty 25-24 win over Canterbury in the second fixture of Friday night's double header at Lang Park.

Australian Political News

Budget decision welcomed by carers
Carers Tasmania hopes the creation of a new Office of Seniors Services will reduce the incidence of elderly abuse.

Hurley facing fresh Palm Island investigations
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) says the police officer at the centre of a death in custody in north Queensland six years ago is facing fresh investigations.

Labor faces thrashing in Penrith
The Labor Party is expected to be severely pounded when voters in the New South Wales state seat of Penrith go to the polls for today's by-election.

Latest News

50 missing in Colombia mine blast
Rescue workers are continuing to search for more than 50 people trapped in a mine shaft in Colombia.

IMF backs Spain's austerity measures
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is confident Spain's economy will recover and it has called on the country to back the government's austerity measures.

DJ's brand 'safe' after CEO scandal
A retail analyst says it is unlikely the reputation of David Jones will be seriously damaged from the controversial resignation of its chief executive.

Candidates hold out hope in Penrith

Candidates hold out hope in Penrith
Residents in the Sydney electorate of Penrith are casting their votes in the first by-election test for New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally's Government.

Latest World News

Grisly body find near Mexico's tourist hotspot
Police in the popular Mexican beach resort of Cancun have found the bodies of 12 people with signs they were tortured and killed by drug gang members.

Firing squad execution causes outcry in US
The execution by firing squad of a convicted murderer in Utah has reignited debate about the death penalty in the US.

Top News Stories

Phar Lap returning for Melbourne Cup anniversary
Phar Lap, one of the world's greatest race horses, is so revered his remains are kept in both his birthplace New Zealand and Australia where he became a champion.

Grisly body find near Mexico's tourist hotspot
Police in the popular Mexican beach resort of Cancun have found the bodies of 12 people with signs they were tortured and killed by drug gang members.

Hurley facing fresh Palm Island investigations
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) says the police officer at the centre of a death in custody in north Queensland six years ago is facing new investigations.

News Commentary

DJs fronts up as CEO scandal erupts
In corporate Australia Mark McInnes was more than just the chief executive of David Jones. To shareholders, big time investors and rusted-on shoppers he was also the high profile face of the company who was a living and breathing brand. But today's stunning departure is the latest confirmation that corporate Australia will accept nothing less than exemplary behaviour from its chief executives.

Government 2.0...it can be a reality
Alongside the tools and technology, public sector culture must change to bring the reality of Government 2.0 to light.

Word-art imitates life at the Mid-Winter Ball
In recent years speeches by Australia's leaders at the Parliamentary Mid-Winter Ball have followed the lead set by the White House correspondent's dinner. It is a bold and terrifying trend and the results have been mixed, because they start with a few handicaps. The first is that, as a rule, Australians are hopeless public speakers and, with some noble exceptions, this holds true for our leaders.

Blame it on the vuvuzela, but we haven't blown it yet
There's no-one having less fun than us so far. You could make the case Australia's 4-0 loss to Germany has been the least interesting moment of this World Cup. But there's more to see at this sporting carnival than our navels, and some of it is truely inspiring. How I longed to be New Zealandish on Tuesday; you could do nothing but smile at their good fortune.

Shear amazement at North Tuppal Station
On a frosty morning in the NSW Riverina, shearers sharpen their blades, oil their handpieces, and slip on their unofficial uniform. They're preparing for the largest gathering of shearers in recent history - an event organised to raise funds to send a national shearing team to Wales for the International Golden Shears Competition. But what this event evolves into over the next two days, is much more than a fund-raising exercise.

Latest News

Hurley facing fresh Palm Island investigations
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) says the police officer at the centre of a death in custody in north Queensland six years ago is facing new investigations.

BP chief quits role in stricken Gulf
A day after his controversial performance at a congressional hearing in Washington, BP chief executive Tony Hayward is being moved aside.

Firing squad execution causes outcry in US
The execution by firing squad of a convicted murderer in Utah has reignited debate about the death penalty in the US.

Second Black Saturday class action lodged
A second class action has been launched over Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires.

Libs tipped to snatch back Penrith in by-election
Residents in the Sydney electorate of Penrith are casting their votes in the first by-election test for New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally's Government.

Latest Australian and International News

Earthquake shakes Indian islands
June 19, 2010 at 3:14 PM


A MODERATE 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit India's Andaman Islands today, causing damage to infrastructure on the archipelago.
 

Dalai Lama slams anti-whaling protesters
June 19, 2010 at 3:07 PM


THE Dalai Lama has criticised wildlife activists for staging what he said were violent protests over Japan's hunting of whales.
 

Nude Kiwis overcome Welsh challenge
June 19, 2010 at 2:52 PM


BALL skills were on display at a New Zealand oval as a couple of teams tackled a game of naked rugby in Dunedin.
 

Hip-hop band plays for Sapper's funeral
June 19, 2010 at 2:45 PM


THE funeral for an Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan has heard that as he lay dying, his sole concern was for his wife and young son.
 

Poll 'like climbing Everest' for Labor
June 19, 2010 at 1:49 PM


LABOR candidate John Thain was still "climbing Mt Everest" on polling day in a last ditch bid to win over voters in the Penrith by-election.
 

Biker clocks 178km/h without a licence
June 19, 2010 at 1:44 PM


A MOTORCYCLIST carrying a pillion passenger has been clocked doing 178 km/h on the Hume Freeway at Benalla, in Victoria' northeast.
 

Missing teen found at bottom of cliff
June 19, 2010 at 1:42 PM


A TEENAGER reported missing from her home on the NSW south coast has been found at the bottom of a cliff with head and spinal injuries.
 

US stocks brace for volatile week
June 19, 2010 at 1:16 PM


US stocks ended the week more than 2 per cent higher amid optimism over the global economic recovery, but as Wall St braced for a volatile week with a heavy dose of US economic data.
 

Rampage gunman's family attends funeral
June 19, 2010 at 12:54 PM


FAMILY and friends have attended a private funeral for Cumbria gunman Derrick Bird, who killed 12 and wounded 11 during a shocking shooting rampage.
 

Mining industry doom ads referred to ASIC
June 19, 2010 at 12:38 PM


THERE are fears the mining industry's ads against the super profits tax could "talk down" retirement funds.
 

Princess to wed her personal trainer
June 19, 2010 at 11:45 AM


SWEDEN'S future queen Crown Princess Victoria is set to wed her former personal trainer on Saturday in one of the largest public celebrations ever organised in Stockholm.
 

Hundreds join Black Saturday class action
June 19, 2010 at 11:41 AM


HUNDREDS of Black Saturday bushfire victims have signed up for a class action against an electricity supplier they allege was responsible for a blaze that killed 121 people and destroyed 1244 homes.
 

Missing children safe and back with mum
June 19, 2010 at 11:36 AM


TWO children taken from their Adelaide home have been found safe and well.
 

Israel issues blunt warning on blockade
June 19, 2010 at 11:24 AM


ISRAEL'S UN ambassador has urged the government of Lebanon and the international community to prevent a small group of ships from trying to break the blockade of Gaza, warning that it reserves the right to use "all necessary means" to stop the vessels.
 

Dollar could hit 90c again, say strategists
June 19, 2010 at 10:58 AM


THE Australian dollar looks set to break through US90c by the end of the year after punching above US87c for the first time in a month.
 

Exit fee 'rip-offs' face the firing line
June 19, 2010 at 10:29 AM


NEW laws mean families battling to pay off home loans will save hundreds of dollars in fees.
 

Car peeled from pole after horror smash
June 19, 2010 at 10:03 AM


THREE more young men have been killed in two separate road accidents in Victoria.
 

Stranger plunges knife into woman's back
June 19, 2010 at 10:00 AM


NSW police are searching for a woman believed to have stabbed another woman on a suburban street in the Hunter Valley.
 

One dead, three injured in fire
June 19, 2010 at 9:57 AM


GOLD Coast police have yet to identify a man believed to have died in a house fire in which three other people were injured.
 

Millions exposed to arsenic-tainted wells
June 19, 2010 at 9:54 AM


MORE than a fifth of deaths in a district of Bangladesh were caused by the country's notorious problem of arsenic-tainted well water, and even relatively low exposure to the poison was not risk-free, the medical journal The Lancet reports.
 

Amen: iPad Mass app hits the church altar
June 19, 2010 at 8:58 AM


AN Italian priest has developed an application that will see Mass celebrated with an iPad on the altar.
 

Millionaire ate rat poison in court 'stunt'
June 19, 2010 at 8:18 AM


MAN convicted of sexually abusing his step-daughter swallowed rat poison to avoid going to prison.
 

Coming soon: Olympic stadium in a box
June 19, 2010 at 8:09 AM


THE spectacular and expensive Water Cube and Bird's Nest stadiums were focal points of the Beijing games, but the future of Olympic architecture may well be found in a box.
 

NSW Labor braced for battering in Penrith
June 19, 2010 at 8:05 AM


POLLS have opened in the electorate of Penrith in western Sydney with Labor expected to take a battering.
 

Bomb-laden van threatened 'devastation'
June 19, 2010 at 8:02 AM


A VAN containing 136kg of explosives was left outside a police station in Northern Ireland and could have caused "complete devastation" if it went off, police say.
 

'I'm sad and disappointed': DJ's new boss
June 19, 2010 at 7:42 AM


PAUL Zahra got his 44th birthday present a day early, but hopes the circumstances taking him to the helm don't overshadow his reign.
 

Bullock's cheating hubby moves house
June 19, 2010 at 7:27 AM


MOTORCYCLE mogul Jesse James will be moving to Austin, Texas permanently, his lawyer has told People Magazine.
 

BP boss passes baton after horror week
June 19, 2010 at 7:22 AM


EMBATTLED BP boss Tony Hayward is handing over the daily management of the complex operation to cap the Gulf of Mexico spill, a day after a public mauling by US lawmakers.
 

BP fails to cough up on oil victims' claims
June 19, 2010 at 7:05 AM


THE US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee says data it has collected shows BP has paid less than 12 per cent of claims submitted by people and businesses arising from the Gulf oil spill.
 

Head-banging tunes smash odds of a date
June 19, 2010 at 6:59 AM


FRENCH researchers have provided scientific backing to would-be seducers who instinctively know they have to swap rap or heavy metal for Marvin Gaye to improve the odds for love.
 

Man dies alone in house blaze
June 19, 2010 at 6:50 AM


A man has died in a house fire at Lithgow, west of the Blue Mountains in NSW.
 

Stocks inch forward as Europe fears ease
June 19, 2010 at 6:45 AM


US stocks carved out modest gains on Friday in a tight range of trade amid easing eurozone debt concerns and a European Union pledge to publish the results of stress tests on banks.
 

Miracle whale flips a fin a swims again
June 19, 2010 at 6:35 AM


A WHALE stranded for three days on the edge of a Danish fjord has suddenly started swimming again, astounding rescuers and experts who had predicted it was on the edge of death.
 

Mice hair could repair spinal injuries
June 19, 2010 at 6:31 AM


A POTENTIAL treatment for spinal cord injuries has been found in the most unlikely of places - mice hair.
 

Lennon lyrics fetch $US1.2m at auction
June 19, 2010 at 4:27 AM


SALE of John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to A Day in the Life fetches twice the estimated price.
 

Death toll may be 2000 - Kyrgyz leader
June 19, 2010 at 3:30 AM


KYRGYZSTAN'S acting leader admits death toll from ethnic clashes is 10 times the current estimate.
 

Car bomb kills at least five in Iraq
June 19, 2010 at 1:23 AM


AT LEAST five people have been killed and more than 40 wounded in a car bombing in northern Iraq.
 

France's richest woman in tapes scandal
June 18, 2010 at 11:41 PM


L'OREAL heiress accuses her daughter of releasing tapes that reportedly reveal she conspired to evade taxes.
 

Three years in jail over false rape claim
June 18, 2010 at 10:20 PM


POLICE force failed to tell trial it knew complainant's credibility was suspect and that she enjoyed "police attention".
 

Jay-Z and Sudoku key to jailbreak plan
June 18, 2010 at 8:52 PM


DARING plot to escape jail hatched using Sudoku puzzles and invisible ink, timed with music festival.
 

Blues Brothers a must-see for Catholics
June 18, 2010 at 8:43 PM


THE Catholic Chuch has officially sanctioned the movie Blues Brothers a story of two musicians who redeem their thieving past, filthy mouths and bad attitudes.
 

Krispy Kreme in court fight over recipe
June 18, 2010 at 8:34 PM


DOUGHNUT company Krispy Kreme is suing the operators of its last remaining New York City store over a claim that they used their own recipe.
 

Britain makes birthday plea to Burma
June 18, 2010 at 8:14 PM


BRITAIN has called for Burma democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be immediately and unconditionally released as she prepares to mark yet another birthday in detention.
 

Man found with million child porn images
June 18, 2010 at 7:34 PM


AUSTRIAN authorities have arrested a man who hoarded more than a million child pornography pictures and videos.
 

Man 'kept a million child porn images'
June 18, 2010 at 7:34 PM


AUSTRIAN authorities have arrested a man who hoarded more than a million child pornography pictures and videos.
 

Smile, today's the happiest day of 2010
June 18, 2010 at 7:26 PM


ALGEBRAIC formula finds June 18 is the happiest day of the year, British number crunchers say.
 

Rudd just wants to be on TV - Downer
June 18, 2010 at 7:17 PM


FORMER foreign minister Alexander Downer says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is driven by a desire to be on TV.
 

Rudd just wants to be on TV - Downer
June 18, 2010 at 7:17 PM


FORMER foreign minister Alexander Downer says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is driven by a desire to be on TV.
 

Man wielding knife goes on rampage
June 18, 2010 at 6:58 PM


A YOUNG man wielding a knife attacked bystanders in southern China, killing one person and injuring 11, state media reported, in the latest random attack in the country.
 

Radioactive material used in Sydney
June 18, 2010 at 6:52 PM


AUSTRALIAN and American military forces reportedly used radioactive material during war training games across Sydney.
 

Actor pulls out of Bollywood Hitler film
June 18, 2010 at 6:44 PM


THE lead actor in Bollywood's proposed film on Adolf Hitler, which Jewish groups protested and historians condemned, withdrew from the project.
 

Chemical fire in Maryborough
June 18, 2010 at 6:32 PM


FIRE crews have contained the chemical fire that saw a Maryborough iron foundry evacuated this morning.
 

Father killed by teen son while sleeping
June 18, 2010 at 6:32 PM


A NSW teenager has been jailed for shooting his sleeping father dead on an "ordinary and unremarkable evening" after the family had shared a meal and watched television.
 

Experts cast doubt on stolen Banksy work
June 18, 2010 at 6:24 PM


Australian experts cast doubt Friday over claims that graffiti stolen from outside an underwear tycoon's home was by secretive British street artist Banksy.
 

DiPierdomenico says sorry for racism
June 18, 2010 at 6:20 PM


ROBERT DiPierdomenico says he feels 'ashamed' for using the word 'abo' and has apologised personally to Gavin Wanganeen.
 

Latest Queensland News

CMC may give Atkinson more time
June 19, 2010 at 2:09 PM


QUEENSLAND'S crime watchdog may allow Police Commissioner more time to act on mishandled investigations into the death in custody of a Palm Island man.
 

Sapper Smith remembered
June 19, 2010 at 10:35 AM


FAMILY, friends and military colleagues are today remembering Sapper Darren Smith, one of two soldiers tragically killed in Afghanistan two weeks ago.
 

Gold Coast man dies in garage fire
June 19, 2010 at 12:27 AM


POLICE are waiting to identify the remains of a person who burned to death while sitting in their vehicle in a garage overnight in Benowa, east of Nerang.
 

Tugun desal facility closed again
June 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM


THE trouble-plagued Gold Coast desalination plant has again been shut down for repairs - this time for at least three months.
 

Outcry as more fish die at Noosa
June 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM


MORE fish have died at a Noosa River fish hatchery where chemical agricultural sprays have been implicated.
 

Queensland shoppers pay most
June 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM


QUEENSLANDERS are paying more than residents of other states for products that grocery giant Coles is promoting in its Prices are Down campaign.
 

Hurley faces more CMC inquiries
June 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM


POLICE officer Chris Hurley is facing two fresh investigations, says the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
 

Schools lax on asbestos policy
June 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM


SchholQUEENSLAND students and teachers are still being exposed to asbestos due to negligence and flaws in the way the potentially deadly fibre is managed.
 

Backlash on Brisbane parking fines
June 18, 2010 at 11:00 PM


THOUSANDS of motorists have challenged parking violations this year, as Brisbane City Council rakes in almost $1.8 million a month from the fines.
 

Teenage girl stabbed in Woodridge
June 18, 2010 at 10:28 PM


A 14-YEAR-OLD girl has been taken to hospital after being stabbed in Woodridge tonight.
 

Search for canoeist continues
June 18, 2010 at 8:44 PM


A LAND, air and water search for a missing canoeist will continue over the weekend at Wivenhoe Dam northwest of Brisbane.
 

Witnesses sought in festival assault
June 18, 2010 at 8:34 PM


POLICE are appealing for witnesses following the assault of a 19-year-old man at the Winter Sound System music festival at Doomben last weekend.
 

Squeeze hits unit demand
June 18, 2010 at 7:12 PM


DEMAND for units has slumped 20 per cent as higher interest rates and tougher lending criteria affect buyers.
 

Police head off Doomadgee action
June 18, 2010 at 6:17 PM


TWO police officers have sought an injunction in a bid to ward off disciplinary action over their investigation of Cameron Doomadgee's death in custody.
 

MP quizzed over bullying claims
June 18, 2010 at 5:41 PM


A FEDERAL MP dumped by the LNP says police spent three hours interviewing him this week over claims he was intimidated and pressured by senior party figures.