AUSTRAC has identified a growing number of incidents in which criminals falsely claim to be AUSTRAC officials and use the agency's name, authority and reputation to deceive members of the public into transferring funds or disclosing sensitive information.
Scammers are contacting individuals through phone calls, emails and messaging applications, often presenting forged documents and communications that appear legitimate.
How the scam works
Victims may be told they are under investigation for money laundering, tax offences or other financial crimes, that their accounts have been frozen, or that they must make an urgent payment to avoid penalties, prosecution or other adverse consequences.
AUSTRAC does not contact members of the public unexpectedly demanding payment. AUSTRAC staff will never ask members of the public to transfer funds, make payments through cryptocurrency, WhatsApp or Telegram, or provide personal information in response to an unsolicited request.
Warning signs to watch for
Any unexpected request for money, personal information or urgent action claiming to be from AUSTRAC should be treated with caution and independently verified through official AUSTRAC channels.
These scams are becoming increasingly convincing and are designed to exploit trust in government agencies. They often rely on fear, urgency and perceived authority to pressure victims into acting quickly.
Stop. Check. Protect.
Before responding to any unexpected request for money, personal information or urgent action, take a moment to verify the information through official channels. If something doesn't feel right, stop and independently confirm that the request is genuine.
To learn more about protecting yourself from scams and fraud, visit Defence Bank's Security Hub for practical tips, guidance and the latest scam alerts.
