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ABC News
ABC News
Business
technology reporter James Purtill

Scammers stole over $2 billion from Australians last year — more than double 2020's total: ACCC

ACCC Delia Rickard Australia Brian Scamwatch ABC North West Queensland
The easing of COVID lockdowns in 2021 didn't see any decrease in scams targeting isolated and vulnerable Australians. (ABC North West Queensland: Kemii Maguire)

Days after the call from "the man from Microsoft", Brian realised he had been scammed of his life's savings.

The well-spoken caller had rung out of the blue, offered to fix a problem, taken control of Brian's computer, and withdrawn $38,700 from the retiree's online bank account, leaving $300.

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