Received a call today. Similar saga to all the above. I was asked for my date of birth and name and address was confirmed and would like the money either direct to my bank account or a cheque. No way was I giving bank details so said cheque. Then asked what bank cheque I would like and I said surely if it is from the government it should be a government cheque. I was given a ref no and told to phone the number and speak to a lady finance manager. She went through the same story and gave me a cheque number saying it would be delivered within 4-5 hours. I laughed at this then she said before it came I needed to go to the post office and pay $199 which was what the government had paid overseas lawyers on everyone's behalf because lawyers in Australia are too dear. At that point I said, this is where you tell me to send money through Western Union. She said oh no you go to the post office. I said I didn't have that money today so she said tomorrow would be ok. I asked what or how I paid the money at the post office and she would only give me that information and what form to get when I rang her back tomorrow to pay the money.
I phoned Tony Zappia office, our local federal government minister and was advised of this scam.\\PLEASE BE CAREFUL EVERYONE. I was already suspicious that is why I phone the name to get further information but when she mentioned paying the money at the post office and I said Western Union her reaction was suspicious. This is a dead give away for a scam when Western Union is used to collect money from you.