A new multi-million-dollar anti-scam centre is being set up by the Australian government to stop scammers.
It comes after Australian investigators from Channel Seven's Spotlight current affairs programme tracked down a sophisticated syndicate in Malaysia. It's a similar operation to one that trapped an Auckland woman.
It's a dramatic raid involving dozens of tactical police. An Australian journalist and private investigator tracked down a sophisticated scamming network inside secret offices in Kuala Lumpur.
The eloquent and convincing British con artists are responsible for the $1 billion operation. One particular network is now mostly disabled following 24 raids and 81 arrests.
However, Kiwi Carla O'Neil lost her life savings to a syndicate that's still operating.
"I transferred $100,000," she said.
"I do consider myself tech-savvy and scam-savvy… it just looked so professional, so legit."
It wasn't, and there were no red flags she was being conned by a sophisticated scam.
"There needs to be more to protect people if the account name and number doesn't match."
Australia's government will open anti-scam centres that are set up to intercept a scam before innocent people are hit.
O'Neil wants the same thing in New Zealand.
"It's devastating, it's my life savings, saving to buy myself a house."
She's hoping her bank will help retrieve her money and warns others to be even more vigilant.
