Crypto Holders Beware: Police Impersonation Scam Hits Australia

Scammers are abusing Australia's ReportCyber platform to impersonate police, convincing victims to transfer crypto to fraudulent wallets. Authorities urge vigilance and warn real officers never request crypto transfers or wallet access.

Australian authorities have issued warnings about a sophisticated scam in which criminals exploit the official ReportCyber platform to impersonate police officers and steal cryptocurrency from victims. Scammers use stolen personal data to submit fake cybercrime reports, then contact victims while posing as law enforcement, referencing official-looking case numbers to build credibility. In some cases, a second caller pretends to be from a cryptocurrency company, urging victims to transfer funds to a so-called "cold storage" wallet controlled by the scammers. The tactics include verifying personal information, creating urgency, and using spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate. Authorities stress that genuine officers will never request access to crypto wallets, seed phrases, or banking details, and urge the public to verify any suspicious contact through official channels. The AFP and the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre are monitoring the situation and reviewing security measures for the ReportCyber platform. Australians are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to cybercrime reports.