Fraudsters Exploit Australia’s Cybercrime Portal to Impersonate Police and Steal Crypto

Cybercriminals in Australia are exploiting the federal government’s official cybercrime reporting system to pose as federal cops and steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting victims, authorities warned on Wednesday.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed that scammers are submitting false experiences by way of ReportCyber, a platform designed for residents to report cybercrimes.

Using stolen private information, the fraudsters contact victims pretending to be officers from the AFP, claiming their data is linked to crypto-related investigations. The purpose is to trick victims into transferring digital property into pretend “safe” wallets.

Scammers Exploit ReportCyber Data to Build Credibility and Pressure Victims

According to AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson, the deception works as a result of criminals use reputable particulars from the ReportCyber platform to seem credible.

“They confirm private data in ways in which match widespread expectations and act rapidly to create a way of urgency,” she mentioned.

The AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre discovered that the system’s design, which permits third events to file experiences on behalf of others, has been manipulated to reinforce these scams.

Once a false report is submitted, scammers name the sufferer with a fabricated case reference quantity, making the fraud look official.

In one reported incident, a sufferer was instructed their identify appeared in a cryptocurrency information breach.

The scammer cited a legitimate-looking reference quantity and then handed the decision to an alleged “crypto platform consultant” who urged the sufferer to transfer funds right into a supposed chilly pockets for “safekeeping.”

The sufferer grew suspicious and ended the decision earlier than transferring any cash.

Police famous that related schemes have used spoofed telephone numbers mimicking actual AFP strains to enhance credibility.

“Australians ought to test for warning indicators and defend themselves. Real AFP officers won’t ever request entry to crypto accounts, seed phrases, or banking data,” Andersson urged residents.

Authorities suggested that anybody contacted a couple of ReportCyber submission they didn’t make ought to instantly dangle up and name 1300 CYBER1.

The AFP emphasised that genuine experiences are nonetheless essential for monitoring cybercriminals and stopping additional scams.

Australia Tightens Crypto Oversight as Regulators Target Scams

The warning comes amid a broader crackdown on crypto-related fraud throughout Australia.

Last month, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced upcoming legislation to regulate crypto ATMs, calling them “high-risk merchandise” tied to cash laundering and little one exploitation.

Meanwhile, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has taken down over 14,000 scam and phishing web sites since July 2023, with crypto-related fraud accounting for 20% of the removals.

The company now targets 130 new malicious websites every week, together with misleading social media adverts and AI-powered schemes promising passive crypto earnings.

In November, ASIC additionally introduced temporary class relief for intermediaries distributing stablecoins issued by licensed AFS suppliers, permitting them to function with out extra licensing till June 2028.

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