MEDIA RELEASE: ICCC LAUNCHES SCAM AWARENESS WEEK TO EMPOWER PAPUA NEW GUINEANS AGAINST SCAMS

ICCC LAUNCHES SCAM AWARENESS WEEK TO EMPOWER PAPUA NEW GUINEANS AGAINST SCAMS

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) launched its Scam Awareness Week PNG, this year from the 15 to 19 December 2025. Inspired by successful national initiatives like Australia’s scamwatch program, this campaign is timed deliberately to protect individuals, families, and businesses across Papua New Guinea during the high-risk Christmas and New Year season.

Scammers exploit the spirit of giving and the rush of holiday spending. Reports from around the world show scam activity spikes dramatically in this period. Fake online shops, bogus charity appeals, “urgent” delivery problems, and too-good-to-be-true Christmas bargains are among the most common tricks used to steal money and personal information.

“Christmas is a time of joy, but it is also peak season for scammers,” ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roy Daggy said.

“Scammers know people are shopping, travelling, donating, and looking for quick cash or gifts. We want every Papua New Guinean to celebrate safely and not start 2026 recovering from a scam.”

Festive scams to watch this Christmas

• Fake online stores and marketplace listings offering huge discounts.
• Phishing texts claiming “your parcel is held – click to pay release fee”
• Bogus charity appeals for disaster or Christmas hampers
• Investment “Christmas bonuses” or cryptocurrency giveaways
• Romance scammers intensifying contact before the holidays.

Other common scams targeting Papua New Guineans

Scammers are evolving, using sophisticated tactics to deceive. Key types to watch for include:

• Job and Employment Scams: Fake job offers promising high salaries but requiring upfront fees for “training” or “visas.”
• Imposter Scams: Fraudsters posing as officials, banks, or government agencies via phone or email, demanding urgent payments. 
• AI and Trading Platform Scams: Fake apps or websites using artificial intelligence to mimic legitimate trading platforms, luring victims into “guaranteed” returns.

These scams have surged globally, with similar trends emerging in PNG. Early detection can prevent devastating financial and emotional harm.

How Scammers Reach You

Fraudsters hide behind everyday mediums to build false credibility:

• Phone Calls and SMS: Unsolicited calls or texts from “authorities” creating urgency.
• Email and Social Media: Phishing links disguised as promotions or alerts on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, or Viber.
• Websites and Apps: Bogus sites mimicking trusted brands, often promoted via online ads or group chats.
• In-Person or Mail: Door-to-door “opportunities” or mailed cheques that bounce after you transfer funds.

Stay alert—legitimate organizations never demand immediate payment or sensitive details without verification.

Help Us Map Scams Across PNG

Whether you have lost money, narrowly escaped, or simply noticed a suspicious message, take 2–3 minutes to tell us anonymously through our quick Christmas Scam Survey (refer to link and QR code below). Your input will show the true scale of scams in PNG and guide future warnings and advocacy.

Complete the survey now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rMseLcq7Y6?origin=lprLink (or scan the QR code). The survey is open from 19 December 2025 – 2 January 2026.

Stop. Check. Protect. This Christmas

• Stop – Never click links or pay fees from unexpected messages
• Check – Contact stores, banks, or charities directly using official numbers
• Protect – Warn family and friends, especially the elderly

Join us and spread the word with these hashtags: #ScamAwarenessWeekPNG and #SafeChristmasPNG.

For more information contact the Consumer Protection Division on telephone 312 4600 | Email:info@iccc.gov.pg  or for any complaints; complaints@iccc.gov.pg.