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With the rise of the internet, cybercrime has become a global phenomenon. And Australia is no exception. In recent years, there has been a surge in cases of elderly Australians being lured into drug trafficking by online scammers.
“Transnational and serious organized criminals are targeting the elderly in online scams to coerce the victims into working as drug mules to recoup their debts,” the AFP said in a statement.
In Australia, criminals have taken drug trafficking to a new level: offering their victims to get their money back by serving as drug mules. These older adults are promised large sums of money if they are willing to transport drugs into the country.
However, once they agree, they find themselves in over their heads. They may be unable to afford the legal fees associated with getting out of the situation, and they could even face jail if caught.
With the number of cases on the rise, it is clear that something needs to be done to protect the elderly from being targeted by online scammers. In October 2021, officers arrested 18 elderly individuals at Australia’s borders who said they had been coerced into bringing illicit drugs into the country.
In one case, two elderly Americans were arrested at Sydney airport with 15 kilograms of methamphetamines and 1.5 kilograms of cocaine. This is one example of the many instances of older Australians being coerced into drug trafficking.
“Criminal syndicates, by their very nature, exploit vulnerable communities and will undertake whatever tactics necessary to import drugs into our country,” AFP Commander Kate Ferry said.
“We have unfortunately seen instances where people have not only fallen victim to classic inheritance or investment scams and lost their money, but they are then offered false hope to regain their money, some unwittingly working as drug mules for the criminal syndicate.”
This problem is only going to get worse in the future. As more and more people use the internet, there will be more and more opportunities for scammers to take advantage of vulnerable people. It is essential for everyone to be aware of these scams and to take steps to protect themselves online.
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