SOUTH Australian police say they have a suspect over an alleged scam targetting Aboriginal football clubs in that State.
The scam centres on clubs paying up-front up to $500 for a trip to Melbourne on an AFL club-sponsored training and development camp.
Already, the Koonibba and Yalata football clubs on the Eyre Peninsula have fallen victim to the ruse, having paid almost $2000 for the non-existent trip. When payment have been made, there is no further contact.
Police said the man is convincing, has a good knowledge of the footy system and may continue to target regional clubs.
Superintendent Tom Rieniets told the ABC that police are following an electronic trail.
"We believe all the correspondence was either via email or telephone," he said. "The file's been handed to interstate police for follow-up.
"I think it's a fairly basic set-up, I don't think he's gone into too much trouble in relation to hiding his cyber-trail - basically just using common email addresses."
People are encouraged to report the man to authorities.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Last Modified on 30/07/2008 22:52