Chat room users' bank accounts accessed

Internet chat room users are being drawn into banking fraud scams and having their accounts accessed, police say.

Detective Constable John Swaine said today he was dealing with six reported cases in Christchurch and was aware banks were dealing with more than that.

"People are being recruited, via internet chat rooms, to have money deposited into their accounts via internet banking," he said.

"This money, less a percentage as commission for the account holder, is then sent overseas, frequently via services like Western Union."

Funds are then removed from people's bank accounts via internet banking, when a customer's personal computer has been compromised by fraudsters, frequently overseas, he said.

- NZPA