Investment scam targeting regional WA

Scammers are targeting regional West Australians through unsolicited social media and text messages, urging them to invest in a fraudulent scheme.

Consumer Protection WA says the scam claims almost $22 million can be unlocked from an international account if the recipient pays part of the $500,000 required in fees and taxes.

"This scam contains an attachment claiming to be a certificate from the Arab Monetary Fund authorising the funds to be transferred," commissioner Penny Lipscombe said on Wednesday.

"Our investigations reveal that while this is a legitimate organisation, it doesn't actually perform this kind of function."