Cybercriminals in Australia are misusing the government’s official cybercrime reporting system to impersonate federal police officers and trick citizens into handing over cryptocurrency, authorities warned Wednesday.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed that scammers are filing false reports through ReportCyber, a platform meant for citizens to report cybercrimes.
Using stolen personal information, these fraudsters contact victims claiming their details are part of crypto-related investigations and urge them to transfer digital assets into fake “secure” wallets.
Scammers use ReportCyber to gain credibility
AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson explained that criminals exploit legitimate ReportCyber data to appear authentic.
“They verify personal information in ways that match common expectations and act quickly to create a sense of urgency,” Andersson said.
The AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre found that the platform’s design, which allows third parties to submit reports on behalf of others, has been manipulated to reinforce these scams. Once a false report is lodged, scammers call the victim with a fabricated case reference number, giving the fraud an official appearance.
In one case, a victim was told their name appeared in a cryptocurrency data breach.
The scammer provided a reference number and handed the call to an alleged “crypto platform representative,” who urged the victim to move funds into a supposed cold wallet. Fortunately, the victim grew suspicious and ended the call before transferring any money.
Authorities also noted that scammers frequently use spoofed phone numbers mimicking real AFP lines to increase credibility.
“Australians should check for warning signs and protect themselves. Real AFP officers will never request access to crypto accounts, seed phrases, or banking information,” Andersson stressed.
Citizens are advised to hang up immediately and call 1300 CYBER1 if contacted regarding a ReportCyber submission they did not make. The AFP emphasized that authentic submissions remain critical for tracking cybercriminals and preventing further scams.
Broader crackdown on crypto fraud in Australia
This warning coincides with intensified government oversight of crypto-related fraud. Last month, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced plans to regulate crypto ATMs, labeling them as “high-risk products” associated with money laundering and child exploitation.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has also been active. Since July 2023, ASIC has taken down more than 14,000 scam and phishing websites, with crypto fraud representing roughly 20% of these removals. The agency now targets around 130 malicious sites per week, including deceptive social media ads and AI-driven schemes promising passive crypto income.
In November, ASIC introduced temporary class relief for intermediaries distributing stablecoins issued by licensed AFS providers, allowing them to operate without additional licensing until June 2028.
The AFP and ASIC jointly encourage Australians to remain vigilant, reporting suspicious activity while continuing to use official channels like ReportCyber for legitimate cybercrime concerns.
Gunel Ismayilova
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