Unsuspecting southerners are being targeted as ''money mules'' in an unusual scam involving real money.
Senior Sergeant Craig Brown, of Dunedin, warned the money laundering scam involved people receiving stolen funds and then forwarding the funds overseas.
''The scam involves a member of the public receiving a phone call stating they have a tax rebate waiting for them, but it will only be released if they donate a set sum to a charity in India.
''By agreeing to donate, a sum of money is placed in the person's bank account and instructions are then given to withdraw the money and forward to a charity in India via Western Union,'' Snr Sgt Brown said.
The tax rebate the scammers promised never eventuated.
Snr Sgt Brown said the fact money actually changed hands was unusual.
The scammers were ''potentially'' putting themselves at risk of members of the public not transferring the money once they had received it, but were reliant on people falling for the promise of a tax rebate.
He reiterated that any situation where you were expected to donate to a charity or cause in order to receive a tax rebate was not legitimate.
''Police urge any member of the public who receives a phone call outlining the above details to hang up and contact their local police station.''
If something seemed ''too easy or too good to be true, it often is, and you should always seek a second opinion from a loved one, close friend, or someone you trust''.
People should also remember not to give out personal details over the phone, including bank account details, pin numbers, passwords or personal information.
If people had any doubts about the validity of any correspondence, they should ask for the caller's name and then call the company's generic phone number listed on their website or in the phonebook and ask to be transferred back to the person.
Anyone who had fallen victim to the scam already was asked to come forward.
