The University of NSW Business School reports Australian’s lost a staggering $3 billion to scams last year, and where once scams were something that happened to other people, an increasing number of local people are falling victim to incredibly sophisticated cons.

One couple lost their deposit on a new caravan when the email of their supplier was intercepted by a scammer, another couple has had their accommodation business replicated and a young family had their child’s images used in a catfishing scheme.