Police are warning Northern Territory businesses to be wary when making stock purchases after reports of a scam operating in Darwin.

It is alleged an unknown person is calling local businesses and purporting to be a former client. He has then stated that he works for a local tavern or similar and is offering excess stock of alcohol for reduced prices.

Bank account details are then given and the victim is told to put the money into the account and await the delivery of the stock within the hour. The person stays in close contact with the victim and withdraws the money as soon as it is deposited into the nominated account, failing to deliver the promised alcohol.

Monetary values have been significant amounts, some in excess of $500.

The caller appears to be operating from Victoria. Police believe that it may also be the same person who was operating a similar scam earlier this year promising plasma televisions that were never delivered.

Police would like to take this opportunity to remind the community to exercise caution when responding to offers of goods by people unknown to them and to report any suspicious behaviour to police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.nt.crimestoppers.com.au.


Media contact:
Kyla Raby
8922 3365