Scam reporting has dropped significantly after an operation led by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) busted New Zealand scammers, a new report has found.
Scam reporting fell 83 percent following Operation Cargo from May to December 2023, according to the 2023 Digital Messaging Transparency Report released on Tuesday.
Operation Cargo, the first of its kind in New Zealand, uncovered a transnational criminal network of scammers responsible for most SMS scams in New Zealand in 2023.
The SMS scam disruption operation comprised 12 search warrants in 2023 during which DIA seized over 4000 items being used by scammers, including over $35,000 worth of SIM cards and hardware, almost $10,000 worth of luxury items including a designer handbag and skincare products, and over $56,000 cash.
"Operation Cargo revealed an approach to scamming not seen before here in Aotearoa, where scammers are using special software and hardware to send SMS scam messages en masse," DIA manager of digital messaging and systems Joe Teo said.
"Through working together with NZ Police, NZ Customs, and CERT NZ, and closely with New Zealand telecommunications providers and banks, we disrupted numerous scam campaigns throughout the year.
"One reason Operation Cargo has been successful is due to the reports New Zealanders send to us through 7726. Your reporting is used to help us locate scammers. It does make a difference and means we can bring these scams to an end and hold the culprits responsible."
Teo said the DIA's focus this year remains to stay ahead of trends in the scam environment by working with our domestic and international partners, and to hold scammers accountable for their actions.
The Operation Cargo investigations remain open, restricting the information that can be shared with New Zealanders until they are closed.
If you receive a scam SMS text message, please report it free of charge by forwarding the message to 7726, or head to our website for a step-by-step guide of how to report spam: How to report SMS spam.
Newshub.
