Police are warning businesses to be wary of scams after a Taranaki firm lost almost $70,000 to a false company overseas.
Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
In a statement police said a Hāwera business was approached by a man who made several purchases from them.
He asked for a particular freight company to be used when the orders were shipped to him, however, police now believe the company was owned by the customer and was fraudulent.
The customer paid for the orders using credit cards, and once the payments were received the Hāwera business paid about $69,000 to the freight company to transport the orders.
However, police said the payments were then challenged by the credit card company, and it is now thought the cards used by the customer were stolen.
Police said they were now working with the financial organisations involved, and continue to make inquiries.
They want anyone who may have been a victim to this type of scam to contact them on 105.
