A New Trend In Crypto Scam – Posing As Police To Steal Millions
Criminals in Australia are impersonating law enforcement officers and using fake cybercrime reports to defraud victims by claiming their personal data has been compromised. They pressure victims into transferring cryptocurrency to scam-controlled wallets. The scammers use social engineering tactics, including spoofed phone numbers and forged reports, to appear legitimate. Australian authorities have warned citizens about this growing threat. Globally, social engineering attacks in the cryptocurrency sector are escalating, with significant scams reported, including a $91 million Bitcoin theft and phishing schemes impersonating major crypto platforms like Coinbase. Officials emphasize that genuine law enforcement will never request cryptocurrency details or account access.
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Australian Scammers Impersonate Law Enforcement
Criminals in Australia are impersonating law enforcement officers and using forged cybercrime reports to scam people into believing their personal data has been compromised. Hackers then pressure victims into transferring their cryptocurrency to scam-controlled wallets, effectively draining their funds.
This alarming trend has prompted Australian authorities to issue a warning about these scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Exploitation of Fake Police Reports
The AFP-led (Australian Federal Police) cybercrime coordination center uncovered a scam where cybercriminals impersonate federal police to steal cryptocurrency.
How it works:
- Scammers obtain personal data and lodge fake cybercrime reports through the government’s
ReportCyberportal. - They then call victims, claiming their information appears in a cryptocurrency breach.
- Victims are given fake reference numbers to verify online. The counterfeit details appear genuine, making the scam seem credible.
Subsequently, a second scammer, pretending to be from the victim's crypto platform, encourages them to move their assets into a so-called cold storage wallet.
Key Warnings from Officials
Officials warn: Genuine law enforcement will never request access to cryptocurrency accounts, seed phrases, or banking credentials. This scam underscores the growing danger of social engineering tactics. Spoofed phone numbers and other advanced methods make these schemes increasingly convincing, deceiving even vigilant individuals.
Global Rise of Social Engineering Attacks
This Australian scam is part of a global increase in social engineering attacks that exploit cryptocurrency holders. According to @chainalysis, crypto crime is rapidly escalating:
Crypto Crime Stats (2025):
- $2.17 billion stolen by mid-July 2025, surpassing the total for all of 2024.
- High-profile incidents include Bybit, a North Korea-backed hack, resulting in $1.5 billion stolen.
🚨 Scammers now spend 14x higher fees to camouflage their activities.
High-Profile Victims in Recent Cases
In August 2025, a victim lost $91 million worth of Bitcoin after scammers impersonated support staff from Coinbase and other major crypto services. This theft is among the largest single crypto heists to date.
Notable Cases:
- Earlier in the United Kingdom, a fraudster posing as a senior police officer stole $2.8 million in Bitcoin using a fake cold-storage website.
- In May, a global phishing network impersonating Coinbase tricked users into spoofed support sites, stealing over $20 million collectively.
These incidents highlight the scale and sophistication of crypto scams worldwide.
Conclusion: The Evolving Threat of Crypto Scams
The rise in scams, such as posing as police officers to steal cryptocurrency, reflects a disturbing trend in cybercrime. These cases demonstrate increasing skill in social engineering, making it crucial for individuals to stay informed and vigilant. The post warns that such activities represent a new threat to the crypto ecosystem, calling for enhanced security measures globally.