Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 19 October 2004

Sceptre of Atlantis swindle

Consumers warned not to sink money into psychic scam 

Scamsters never seem to run out of innovation in their attempts to rip off consumers, with the latest effort involving a supposed magical ‘Sceptre of Atlantis’ being offered to Western Australians by ‘Chrystal’ of TayorT in Switzerland.

“Although it sounds incredulous, we are nonetheless very concerned about this scam as it involves a five page letter containing very threatening language which understandably has upset and frightened many older people”, Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“Originating from Switzerland and not immediately within our jurisdiction, we have responded by referring this matter to law enforcement agencies in that country and also alerting other international authorities.

“Our investigations have revealed this scam to be linked with others coming out of Switzerland, the Netherlands and Singapore operated by ‘TaylorT’ that have been the subject of consumer warnings earlier this year. 

“The sceptre of Atlantis scam tries all the usual tricks, appealing to our desires for wealth and personal happiness in order to flog their seven inch trinket for $339 as some mystical magic charm”, the Commissioner said.

In addition to suggesting that great harm could befall those who ignore her offer, ‘Chrystal’ states that purchasing the ‘pre-programmed’ 17cm sceptre encrusted with agate, aventurine and quartz will enable purchasers to:

*     Bank a minimum of $1,000,000 from Lotto

*     Free them 100% from current problems

*     Benefit from total happiness

*     Attract barefaced luck

*     Protect themselves from hate and jealousy

*     Have power over others

*     Enjoy wild success in love

“Within just a couple of days we have received more than thirty contacts from consumers, including having the scam referred to us by concerned media agencies and small businesses, showing that this scam is being widely distributed”, Mr Walker said.

“Do not even waste your time reading this rubbish. Re-address the envelope and send it to us postage free to help us in our fight against scam perpetrators such as this”, he said.

Suspected scams should never be responded to in any way and should be forwarded to:

WA ScamNet

* Reply Paid 64772, Locked Bag 14, Cloisters Square, WA, 6850

* wascamnet@docep.wa.gov.au  

*   9282 0862 (Fax)