Australia’s law enforcement has issued a serious warning after scammers began exploiting the government’s cybercrime reporting portal — ReportCyber — to impersonate Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers and steal cryptocurrency from innocent citizens.
These fraudsters are using stolen personal data and fake case reference numbers to make their fake investigations look official, tricking victims into transferring funds into fraudulent “secure” crypto wallets.
🔑 Key Highlights
- Scammers misuse Australia’s ReportCyber platform to pose as federal police.
- Fake case numbers and stolen personal data make the scam look authentic.
- AFP confirms: Real officers will never ask for cryptocurrency or banking details.
- Citizens are urged to hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly through official channels.
🧠 How Scammers Use ReportCyber to Deceive Victims
According to AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson, criminals have found ways to exploit the ReportCyber system, which allows third parties to submit reports on behalf of others.
Once they file false reports, the scammers contact victims claiming to be AFP officers investigating a crypto-related breach. They share fake case numbers and sometimes spoof real AFP phone lines, adding a layer of legitimacy to their lies.
“They confirm personal details in ways that seem believable and create panic to rush victims into compliance,” Andersson explained.
In one reported case, a victim was told their name appeared in a cryptocurrency data breach. The fraudster provided a case ID, then transferred the call to a so-called “crypto platform representative,” urging the victim to move their funds into a ‘cold wallet for safety.’
Fortunately, the person became suspicious and ended the call before losing money.
📞 AFP’s Official Warning to Citizens
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) emphasized that real officers never request cryptocurrency transfers, account access, or seed phrases.
If anyone receives a suspicious call related to a ReportCyber submission they didn’t make, they should immediately hang up and call 1300 CYBER1 to verify.
“Australians must stay alert. Always double-check before sharing any sensitive financial or personal data,” Andersson said.
The AFP reminded citizens that authentic reports on ReportCyber remain vital for tracking and stopping cybercriminal activity.
🇦🇺 Australia Cracks Down on Crypto Fraud and Scam Operations
This warning comes as Australia strengthens its crypto regulations to combat rising scams and money laundering.
Recently, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced new legislation aimed at regulating crypto ATMs, labeling them as “high-risk tools” often linked to illicit activities, including child exploitation and money laundering.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has also intensified efforts against online fraud.
Since July 2023, ASIC has taken down over 14,000 scam and phishing websites, with crypto scams making up 20% of these removals.
Currently, ASIC targets around 130 new scam websites every week, including AI-generated crypto ads and fake investment platforms.
Additionally, ASIC has introduced temporary class relief for intermediaries distributing stablecoins issued by licensed AFS providers, allowing them to operate without additional licensing until June 2028.
🧩 Final Thoughts
The misuse of Australia’s ReportCyber platform highlights how cybercriminals continuously adapt their tactics. Citizens should remain cautious, verify all communication claiming to be from authorities, and never share crypto details or passwords over the phone or email.
As crypto adoption grows, so does the sophistication of fraud schemes — making awareness and quick reporting more essential than ever.
