A would-be donor has told of her anger at almost being duped into giving money to a scam purporting to raise money for world-famous Queensland scientist Professor Ian Frazer.
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Fairfax Media reported on Thursday that scammers were targeting homeowners in Tarragindi, Camp Hill, Toowong and Kangaroo Point.
The doorknockers traded on the good name of Professor Frazer, the 2006 Australian of the Year and creator of the breakthrough Gardasil vaccine for HPV cervical cancer.
They claimed to be raising money to keep his research in Australia at the Translational Research Institute at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Toowong psychology student Danielle Hardgrove was one of several people to tell Fairfax Media about their experience with the scammers.
"I feel a little stupid for being suckered in at first but it was very believable," Ms Hardgrove.
"I'm pretty angry actually.
"I really hope they get them because I think that scientific research in this country is so important and so under threat at the moment from the government that people don't need to be persuaded that it's even more of a waste of time than (some already think) it is."
A well-dressed man in his mid-20s went to Ms Hardgrove's mother's house in Carina last week, claiming to be collecting money to keep Professor Frazer's research into a skin cancer vaccine in Australia.
The 30-year-old said the pitch was polished and professional and because she was familiar with the professor's work, she would have donated if she'd had cash on her.
"Unfortunately, now I'm a lot less inclined to trust doorknockers, so that's one charity strategy that's going to suffer for a while," she said.
Nundah mother-of-two Julie Imber and other Brisbane Times readers had similar experiences.
The Heart Foundation reacted with disbelief and disgust to news of the scam.
Heart Foundation Queensland CEO Stephen Vines said incidents like this were "incredibly frustrating".
"Over 28,000 Queenslanders help us out each year with our annual doorknock appeal in September - they are genuine people donating their time to help us raise $1 million towards critical heart research projects," he said.
"These scammers are tainting the good work of many others and I hope they get caught."
Mr Vines said the Heart Foundation's doorknockers could be identified by their badge, receipt book and collector's bag with the foundation's logo.
Both Professor Frazer and his wife Caroline have been stopped in the street with good-hearted donors concerned about their decision to quit the country.
"For the record, I am not running off to Switzerland," he said.
"I have a public profile and these people are using it inappropriately."
Police, the University of Queensland and Consumer Affairs are all working to track down the fraudsters.
If they come to your door, request ID, get a receipt, and call police if in doubt.
Legitimate PA Research Foundation collectors do not ask for a donation and will never suggest the funds collected go to an individual researcher.
- With Madonna King
