Australian wineries have been the target of a wine scam, set up by a couple seeking complementary wine after claiming to have purchased faulty bottles.

Barossa Grape and Wine Association CEO Sam Holmes said two individuals had been emailing several Barossa wineries over the past two weeks, complaining that the wine they purchased via Dan Murphy’s was low-filled or poor quality.

Holmes said several wineries had fallen victim to the scam, and the total loss to the industry could be high.

“It’s not just the Barossa – it’s all regions in South Australia, but chances are they’ve done it interstate,” Holmes said.

“It would be getting closer to 100 (wineries) than 10. In the Barossa they’ve targeted the top 50 wineries and we’d assume the same in the other regions.”

Holmes said police were investigating the matter and South Australian wineries had been warned of the scam through an email.

Anyone with information on the scam is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000.