The fraudsters are contacting people via telephone stating they are from the Australian Taxation Office and requesting that the residents call them back on a phone number.

When the residents return the call, they are told that they owe a large amount of back taxes, usually in the amount of twenty to thirty thousand dollars.

They are then told that if the amount is not paid immediately, they would be arrested, face public trial, ruining their name and credit rating, as well as being fined $150, 000.

Victims are then requested to make deposits into bank accounts given for the amount outstanding, and send receipts to a Melbourne address.

Police are informing residents to make no such deposits as requested by these persons.

The Australian Taxation Office do not make such phone calls.

Their number is listed in the government information section of local phone books.

If you have any doubt as to the validity of the phone call, refer to the numbers listed in your phone book for the Australian Taxation Office, as well as contacting your local police.