A Christchurch man has reported to police text messages he received from an unknown source demanding money and threatening violence against his family.
Police said they have received multiple complaints about the 020 phone number, NZME reported.
It's not known how the Christchurch man's number was sourced, but he suspects it might've been taken from advertising he placed in a local newspaper.
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Another victim reportedly said they believe their phone number was taken from TradeMe.
To protect its customers, TradeMe head of trust and safety Jon Duffy told NZME phone numbers are only visible to registered users of the website.
"If police come to us with an investigation into malicious use of a telephone or whatever the case may be, we can look back at all the people who have looked at those listings and potentially pursue them as suspects," he said.
The police advise anyone who believes they are being targeted by a scam to report it.
Newshub.
