A local federal MP says he is becoming increasingly concerned at the growing number of overseas based scams, which have infiltrated the region.

In the latest " con " locals have reported receiving calls from someone with a foreign accent, saying the government has realised they are owed $5,000.

Hume MP Alby Schultz says unsuspecting locals are then told to collect the money, they have to transfer funds into a Western Union account, so the government can release what is owed.

Mr Schultz says he believes the scam may originate from India or somewhere else on the sub continent.