Threatening computer generated message left saying I am to be arrested in regards to a lawsuit I have no knowledge of

I'm going to to write a detailed summary of what happened as I think it's important for people to see how easily someone could believe these scammers.

I also received an audio message, and was concerned so called the number back.

The lady that picked up first announced that I was calling the ASIO department related to the Australian Taxation Office. I explained that I had received a call from the number and wanted to understand what was going on. She asked for my name, which I gave her (unfortunately).

She then explained that there was a lawsuit against me as a result of tax evasion and other tax related purposes. She was from the ATO and that there was a warrant out for my arrest as a result of this.

She provided me with her name, a case number and some other numbers related to the Supreme Court and other things that confused me even further. She had a filipino accent and there was alot of background noise. She spoke very quickly, not giving me time to question or ask for her to repeat things.

She then rattled off a list of my "offenses" and there was alot of legal jargon that at first had me incredibly concerned. Section this and code that and that an audit had been completed and I was guilty of not paying taxes etc. I don't remember much except that it sounded genuine. I believed her as I thought something terrible had gone wrong with my tax returns. I apparently owed the ATO $8000 that I was to pay, or I would go to court and would likely need to pay upwoards off $100k for these fees. I would also be going to federal prison for these offenses.

At this point she asked if I had any questions before she signed the paperwork required to have the federal police sent out to arrest me. I explained how confused I was and was sure there was a mistake. She asked who filed my tax return and I told her my accountant did. She then explained that even if it was my accountant who filed my taxes, it would still be my fault if it was filed incorrectly as I was essentailly responsible (this is actually true).

Here's the bit that really confused me as I hadn't heard of this kind of scam before.

She asked for my accountants number as she wanted to call them and explain the situation. She kept me on hold while she "spoke" to them. After she got back to me she said that my accountant had told her there was a mistake and that they would call me immediately.

I got a phone call from MY accountants office. At this point, my belief levels raised. (This, I have recently found, is called "Caller ID Spoofing")

She asked me to answer the call but put her on hold. I spoke to the man on the phone (he wasn't my personal accountant, but I thought he was another member in their office).

He told me a mistake had been made by them, but that I needed to follow instructions carefully or I'd be arrested. He said that this had occured with a few other clients of theirs and that I needed to do the following:

1. I was to explain to the ATO rep (her name was Lisa Morgan) that I had a family and did not want to go to prison.

2. I was to let Lisa know I wanted to pay the owed money immediately. (At this point, my panic cloud cleared and I realised something wasn't right.)

3. I was to get the money I owed in cash. (As soon as he said cash, I knew it was a scam)
He explained that I need to get a hand on this money (he instructed that I should go to my bank and withdraw it within the next few hours) and that I was to pay the ATO through a BIT Machine.

I would then receive an email with a receipt. I was to forward him the receipt and my accountants office would refund me the money plus $1500 for my troubles.

Finally realising I was being scammed, I decided to stay on the line to see where it was going.

4. He stressed that I was not to tell a single soul about what I was doing and even if I had to borrow the money off someone, I couldn't tell them the reason. It was important that no one else got involded, or I'd go to prison.

So i hung up with him and resumed my call with Lisa. I discussed with her what my accountant had instructed me to say. She then asked if I had the money to pay. I said yes. She asked me 2 more times to make sure (i think she was getting excited).
Then was asked how far away I was from my bank. I told her I was at least 45 minutes away. Surprisingly, she said she's stay on the line with me until I got to the back and stressed it was important that I stayed on the line with her, even during my transaction with the bank teller. This was to make sure I wasn't faking it and going to make a runner...or else she'd sign my arrest instruction.

I gave her a few more minutes of my time and then finally told her I knew it was a scam, and that I was reporting the number to the police.

The detail that went into the scam is worrying. I reported this to the ATO and they said they hadn't seen such a detailed scam before, especially including the Caller ID spoof.

I really hope no one who gets this call follows through, but I can understand why anyone would fall for it. They really play very well with someones sense of fear and need to be a good law abiding citizen.

The automated message said I have an arrest warrant and I had to call (03) 9013 4686. Otherwise, I will be arrested. Must be another scam?

Caller: I got a call from this number

Such a scam and they almost got me today. Is there a way to escalate this. I think this needs to taken with police.
They called me back with my CA number multiple times advicing me to pay the ATO through bitmachine.

They cal me yesterday that no pls be careful I want ask money to pay tax

Caller: Apparantly ATO

same as above only my tax agent was involved and requested i paid the money back for a mistake he made to an account he was going to give me to make the charges go away.. this guy is tied in. worked in unison with ATO caller. making police report this afternoon to blacktown police.

Caller: (03) 9013 4823

I received the same threatening computer generated voice message saying I am to be arrested in regards to a lawsuit I have no knowledge of. Totally a scam.

Caller: Indian c*nt

Some Indian stupid scammer calling and saying from ATO and asking for money and threatening to get arrested by federal police if I don't pay the money now and will be taken to the court and pay high amount of money.
What a bloody bulsh*tting way to make easy money...

Caller: Computer generated

Threatening computer generated message

got robot generated voicemail advising lawsuit being filed against me & to call back or I will be arrested

Called saying I have a lawsuit regarding my tax

Computer generate voice telling me that I will be arrested if I don't call back!

It's a scam saying their from ATO about miscalculations

Dito - If they want me they can come get me...lol lol lol

nick off

Stupid half baked scam telling me the ATO is going to arrest me.

Left a voicemail message saying if I don't get back to them then I'll be arrested.. ha ha

Threatening arrest unless you call back

Message threatening a lawsuit. Tired calling them back for a laugh - kept hanging up on me or number busy.

I got a computer generated message saying its was the tax department and they were going to file a lawsuit against me. I called the number back and it keeps hanging up on me. Scammers im assuming