Australian authorities are warning that scammers are posing as police through the government’s ReportCyber platform to steal crypto.
Authorities in Australia have issued a concerning alert about a series of scams where criminals are impersonating police officers via the ReportCyber platform, an official government channel for reporting cybercrime. This alarming trend specifically targets individuals involved in cryptocurrency transactions, ultimately aiming to steal their digital assets. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has reported that these cybercriminals employ stolen personal data and create fake case numbers to enhance the legitimacy of their scams.
How The Scams Start
These scams typically begin with fraudsters submitting fabricated cybercrime reports through the ReportCyber portal, the designated platform for Australians to lodge online complaints about fraud and hacking incidents. Once these reports are filed, the scammers contact unsuspecting victims, posing as AFP officers who are allegedly investigating a breach involving cryptocurrency.
During these calls, the impersonators often cite the phony report and present what seems to be a legitimate case number. They then convince their targets that their accounts are under investigation, urging them to transfer their cryptocurrency to a so-called “secure wallet” for safekeeping.
How the Crypto Scam Works Through ReportCyber
A key reason these scams are so effective lies in their mimicry of legitimate law enforcement procedures. AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson explained that scammers often verify personal details, apply pressure tactics, and exploit government channels to gain trust. “The scammers act quickly and use familiar steps to gain trust,” Andersson remarked. “They often claim that someone has been arrested and that the victim’s name came up in a crypto breach investigation.”
The operational structure of the scam usually consists of two key parts. Initially, the fake officer contacts the victim, providing a fabricated case reference number linked to a ReportCyber report. Shortly after, another individual impersonating a representative from a cryptocurrency exchange or a security firm joins the conversation. This second caller instructs the victim to transfer their funds into a “safe” wallet.
In one notable incident, a victim was informed they were implicated in a data breach and were advised to secure their cryptocurrency by moving it to a wallet managed by the false investigators. Fortunately, the individual grew suspicious and hung up the phone before any money was lost.
The AFP has also confirmed instances where criminals have spoofed phone numbers to make it seem as if calls were coming from official AFP lines, further adding to the trickery.
“If you’re contacted about a ReportCyber report you didn’t file, hang up and notify ReportCyber immediately,” Andersson advised.
Police Advise Australians to Stay Alert
In light of these malicious activities, authorities are stressing the importance of vigilance. Australians are advised to verify any unexpected contacts related to cybercrime reports. The AFP has made it clear that authentic police officers will never request cryptocurrency transfers, seed phrases, or access to personal accounts.
Citizens are encouraged to call the hotline 1300 CYBER1 to validate the legitimacy of any contact or case number. The AFP’s Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre is actively monitoring these scams and is considering enhancements to the ReportCyber platform to prevent further abuse.
Despite the threats posed by these scams, officials emphasize that ReportCyber remains an integral tool in tracking down cybercriminals and countering future fraudulent activities.
Crypto Fraud Under Tightened Oversight in Australia
The alert regarding the ReportCyber scam comes as Australia intensifies its campaign against crypto-related fraud. Recently, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced new initiatives aimed at regulating cryptocurrency ATMs, categorizing them as “high-risk products” associated with money laundering and other financial crimes.
This proposal mandates operators to register under stricter anti-money laundering standards, aiming to clamp down on illicit activities in the crypto space. In parallel, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has ramped up its efforts to combat online scams. Since July 2023, ASIC has dismantled more than 14,000 fraudulent websites, with around 20% of these linked to cryptocurrency schemes.
Among the eliminated sites are fake trading platforms, phishing pages, and misleading social media advertisements promoting fraudulent investment opportunities. ASIC currently monitors approximately 130 new scam sites each week, highlighting the pressing issue of digital fraud across the nation.
