Cybercriminals in Australia are misusing the government’s official cybercrime reporting system to pose as federal police officers and steal cryptocurrency, authorities warned on Wednesday.
Scammers are exploiting ReportCyber, a platform meant for citizens to report cybercrimes. Using stolen personal data, fraudsters contact victims claiming their information is linked to cryptocurrency investigations. They pressure victims to transfer digital assets into fake “secure” wallets.
Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) explained that criminals use legitimate details from the portal to appear credible. “They verify personal information and create a sense of urgency,” she said.
The fraud often begins with a false report submitted through ReportCyber. Scammers then call victims with fabricated case numbers and, in some cases, hand them over to fake “crypto platform representatives.” Spoofed phone numbers mimicking real AFP lines are also used to enhance credibility.
Authorities urged Australians to be cautious. “Real AFP officers will never request access to crypto accounts, seed phrases, or banking information,” Andersson said. Citizens are advised to hang up on suspicious calls and report any unsolicited contact to 1300 CYBER1.
The warning comes as Australia strengthens crypto oversight. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke recently announced new legislation to regulate crypto ATMs, citing risks linked to money laundering and child exploitation. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has removed over 14,000 scam websites since July 2023, with crypto fraud accounting for 20% of the takedowns.
Despite these scams, authorities stress that genuine reports through ReportCyber remain important for tracking cybercriminals and preventing fraud.
