Australia Warns Criminals Are Abusing National Cybercrime Platform to Drain Crypto Wallets
Fraudsters are exploiting Australia's ReportCyber system by submitting fraudulent reports using stolen personal data, then impersonating Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers to trick victims into transferring cryptocurrency. Scammers use convincing tactics like verifying personal details and creating urgency. The AFP warns against sharing crypto account access, seed phrases, or banking details, urging vigilance, and reporting suspicious calls. This occurs amid Australia's efforts to combat crypto-related fraud, including removing scam websites and introducing stricter regulations for crypto ATMs and anti-money laundering laws.
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Fraudsters Exploit Australia's Cybercrime Reporting System
Fraudsters are leveraging Australia's national cybercrime reporting system (ReportCyber) to impersonate federal police and steal cryptocurrency, authorities warned on Wednesday. According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), false reports are submitted using stolen personal information. Scammers then call victims, pretending to be AFP officers, in order to access digital assets.
Scam Tactics and Methods
The scammers' tactics appear convincing because they verify personal information in familiar ways and act quickly to create urgency. These cybercriminals use stolen personal data, such as email addresses and phone numbers, to file fraudulent reports through ReportCyber. A feature of the system—allowing third-party reporting—has been exploited by the fraudsters to gain credibility.
Anatomy of the Scam
The AFP detailed how this particular scam operates. Victims are contacted by someone posing as an AFP officer and told their name is linked to a crypto-related data breach. They are then provided with an official-looking ReportCyber reference number. To amplify the scheme’s credibility, a second scammer posing as a representative from a crypto platform references the same report, urging the victim to transfer funds to a fake cold storage wallet. Spoofed phone numbers resembling real AFP lines add to the illusion.
Warnings and Protective Measures
Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson emphasized vigilance, urging Australians to 'check for warning signs and protect themselves.' The AFP clarified that genuine officers will never request access to crypto wallets, seed phrases, or sensitive banking details. If contacted about a ReportCyber submission not made by them, victims should hang up and call 1300 CYBER1. Legitimate reports, while critical for tracking cybercriminals, need to be approached cautiously.
Broader Efforts Against Crypto Scams
The warning comes as Australian regulators are stepping up efforts to combat crypto-related fraud. Last month, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced pending legislation targeting crypto ATMs, labeling them as high-risk due to links with money laundering and child exploitation. Additionally, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reported dismantling approximately 3,015 crypto scam websites over two years as part of removing 14,000 fraudulent sites in total. Brendan Thomas, CEO of AUSTRAC, described the new anti-money laundering regulations as 'the most ambitious overhaul of Australia's anti-money laundering laws in a generation.'