Flood victims in Western Australia’s Kimberley region are being targeted by a social media scam promising thousands of dollars in relief funding.

The scam uses an image of a Serbian politician and contains a link to a phoney Facebook page promising victims $20,000 but actually intended to steal personal information.

Eventually, the scammers request fees be paid up-front to receive the funds.

WA Commerce Minister Sue Ellery says the messages, in order to look genuine, appear to come from a friend who is encouraging the target to contact an agent because they and others have already received the payment.

“We strongly advise people in flood-affected areas to be extremely careful and not click on links or give out personal information such as bank details in response to random messages received via text or social media,” she said.

“It is unbelievable that criminals have sought to exploit vulnerable people at a time when many of them have lost everything.”

Ms Ellery said there had also been reports of social media commentary about relief funding from the “Australian Flooding Agency”, when no such agency exists.

People were also being targeted by fake charities set up to steal money from would-be donors.

In one instance, an Instagram account posing as a legitimate registered charity in Fitzroy Crossing was asking donors to buy Amazon e-gift cards.

The scam warnings came as the state government confirmed the flood-ravaged Fitzroy Crossing bridge, a crucial part of the Great Northern Highway transport route, would be rebuilt bigger and better after the once-in-a-century inundation.

In the meantime, a barge system will be implemented to allow traffic through while a low-level floodway crossing is built over the next four months.

Record flooding earlier this month destroyed 38 homes and damaged dozens more in the region, while more than 30 businesses were also wrecked.

The state government on Monday announced it would make additional subsidised flights available between Broome and Derby, which has been left with no alternative public transport.

– AAP