Online scam targets backpackers
The Narrogin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned backpackers looking for employment about a scam online advertisement.
Narrogin Chamber of Commerce executive officer Kerry Bryant said she had received phone calls from Irish backpackers regarding the scam, which promised housing and high wages picking and packing berries on a Narrogin farm.
The ad, posted by a user who went by the name Harris Ballard, stated applicants could start on January 27 provided they paid a deposit.
Italian backpackers Licia Ravaglia and Riccardo Zanni were struck by how good the deal sounded.
Ms Ravaglia, 26, said she failed to pick up on signs it was a scam.
“We’re very upset because we thought we found a job; we were offered good hours and a good wage — maybe we should have known it was too perfect to be real,” she said.
“I was worried when I tried to call him and he never answered. I became very suspicious and called the (Town of Narrogin) council and they told me it was a scam.”
Ms Ravaglia said she avoided losing money because she was hoping to camp in her van.
“We didn’t want a room so I tried to arrange a camping area — after I asked he didn’t respond but said I must pay $200 to book a room,” she said.
Ms Ravaglia said she would continue to look for farming jobs in the region and hoped to warn people against false job ads.
Ms Bryant said people had reported finding Chinese nationals looking for the address.
“We have put a warning on Facebook pages in an attempt that someone researching Narrogin will come across these pages,” she said.
Department of Commerce regional co-ordinator for the South West Debbie Butler said if an ad seemed too good to be true, research the company or individual.
“People must independently verify, like looking up the names of advertisers and, if in doubt, call us,” she said.
“In regional areas our farmers rely on seasonal labour and people need to be careful if they are asked to pay anything upfront.
Ms Butler warned that directly depositing money into a bank account would mean any deposits paid could not be refunded by a bank.
Ms Butler advised backpackers to contact 1300 304 054 to report suspicious advertisements.
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