Vietnamese students in Australia: be careful with traps offering to buy bank accounts for a few hundred dollars

The Australian Federal Police is warning international students not to let criminals control their bank accounts and identity documents with the promise of payment, as they could face criminal prosecution and a permanent ban from entering the country.

Previously in March 2025, the Australian Federal Police, in coordination with ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac, warned about scammers luring university students into "side jobs" that are actually related to criminal activities - Photo: CYBERDAILY.AU

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) on November 19 issued an urgent warning to international students preparing to leave Australia not to allow criminals to control their bank accounts and identity documents to carry out illegal activities.

The trick of "buying outright and selling piecemeal"

According to the AFP-led Joint Cybercrime Coordination Centre - abbreviated as JPC3 - criminal gangs target foreign students who are currently studying or are about to finish university in the country.

They offer “instant cash” and “commissions” for using bank accounts and identification documents such as passports, driver's licenses or Australian Government- issued documents.

Officials say foreign students preparing to leave Australia are offered between 200 and 500 AUD (about 129 and 325 USD) to let criminals use their bank accounts, with a commission of about 10% on the amount transferred into the account.

Identity documents are also in high demand, such as passports, driver's licenses or other documents issued by the Australian Government.

Criminals purchase these documents to open bank accounts in the victim's name, exposing the impersonated person to legal consequences related to criminal activity of which they are unaware.

Serious consequences

Police stated that offers to buy or "rent" student accounts were completely illegal, even though the subjects enticed and touted this as a legal activity.

When students “fall into the trap”, criminals will take advantage of accounts and documents to carry out illegal activities such as money laundering or large-scale fraud abroad. At that time, students can be deeply involved with criminal networks.

The Australian Federal Police has warned students who sell or "rent" accounts or documents to criminal gangs could face criminal prosecution, visa cancellation and a permanent ban from entering Australia.

Police recommend students close their bank accounts and protect their personal information and digital data before leaving Australia.

In addition, officials recommend that students do not sell or share their accounts or documents with anyone, especially strangers who contact them through social networks or in person.

Back to topic

VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sinh-vien-viet-o-uc-can-than-voi-bay-chao-mua-tai-khoan-ngan-hang-vai-tram-do-20251119203319871.htm