A Dunedin woman believes she may have sent around $800,000 to a man allegedly purporting to be an American general over a five-year period, police say.
Police said a woman recently arrived at Dunedin Central Police Station asking for advice about a document she had received.
Sergeant Matthew Lee said she had been purchasing vouchers and Bitcoin while making bank transfers for the man, who she thought was an American general.
"The arrangement had allegedly been going on for about five years, and she thought she could have potentially sent around $800,000.
"Sadly, the documents the woman had been provided did not appear to be legitimate, and the image she had been supplied of the man is suspected to have been altered."
Inquiries into the matter were ongoing.
Lee said the case was a "timely reminder" to exercise caution online.
"Any time someone asks you online for cash or something of monetary value, it should raise a red flag,"
"We urge people to sense-check the matter with trusted family members or friends before making any big decisions and transferring funds or sending any goods."
Police also recommended people take a cautious approach to unsolicited phone calls and emails, including checking email domain names, and never clicking links in unverified emails or text messages.
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