Police in Sydney have issued a public warning after receiving reports of gift-card scams that appear to target members of multicultural communities, particularly people in the Chinese community.

According to the police report published on 15 October 2026, several incidents have been reported since September. In these cases, callers or people using online messaging platforms allegedly pretended to be doctors, other medical professionals or old friends. They then persuaded victims to purchase gift cards and send the redemption codes or PINs to them.

In one reported incident, a 54-year-old woman received an online message on 22 September from someone claiming to be an optometrist. The message confirmed an appointment for the following day. She later received a phone call from the same person and was asked to purchase gift cards from a post office. The caller allegedly requested the PIN numbers and photographs of the cards.

The woman supplied codes for gift cards valued at approximately A$7,000. She subsequently could not contact the person claiming to be her optometrist. Police attached to Ryde Police Area Command were notified and began investigating. A second incident involved a 63-year-old man who received a call on 11 September from someone allegedly pretending to be an old friend. The caller asked him to purchase gift cards from supermarkets and share their PIN codes. The cards were reportedly worth approximately A$9,000.

In a third case, a 72-year-old man received a call on 29 September from someone claiming to be his doctor. The caller allegedly instructed him to purchase gift cards and send the redemption codes. The man bought approximately A$9,000 worth of cards and sent codes worth around A$7,000 before family members intervened. Police from St George Police Area Command commenced an investigation after the incident was reported. Police have warned that scammers may exploit the trust people place in doctors, businesses and friends. Unexpected requests to buy gift cards and disclose their codes should be treated as suspicious, even when the caller appears to know personal details or appointment information.

Authorities advise people to end suspicious calls and verify the request independently by contacting the relevant clinic or business using a telephone number obtained from its official website. Gift-card redemption codes should never be sent to an unverified caller or shared through text messages. Anyone who believes they have been targeted can report the matter through the Australian Government's Report Cyber service or contact their local police station. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The cases remain under investigation. The police warning does not establish that the same offender was responsible for all three incidents.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted can report the matter through the Australian Government's Report Cyber service or contact their local police station. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The cases remain under investigation. The police warning does not establish that the same offender was responsible for all three incidents.