Australians are continuing to lose alarming amounts of money to scammers, with official figures showing that almost A$249,000 disappears every hour through fraudulent schemes targeting individuals, families and businesses across the country.
At Australia’s minimum wage of A$24.95 an hour, the amount lost to scammers every hour represents the earnings of nearly 10,000 workers, whose families are affected, as it is money meant for everyday expenses like groceries, rent or mortgages, paying back loans, or medical bills.
According to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s latest data, Australians reported losses of more than A$2.18 billion in 2025 alone, highlighting the growing sophistication of online fraud and impersonation scams.
Authorities say scammers are increasingly targeting communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and SMS, with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities among those heavily affected.
some of the screenshots from people who have been contacted
WhatsApp Account Takeovers Rising
Cybercrime experts and police are warning Australians about a growing scam involving stolen WhatsApp accounts.
The scam typically begins when a victim receives a WhatsApp call or message from someone pretending to be a friend, colleague, community leader or relative. The scammer claims they are organising a meeting or experiencing a technical problem and asks the victim to share a verification code sent to their phone.
The code confirms the initiated transfer
What victims often do not realise is that the code gives scammers full access to their WhatsApp account.
Once control is taken, scammers immediately begin messaging the victim’s contacts, often requesting urgent financial assistance. Because the requests appear to come from a trusted contact, many recipients send money before verifying the situation.
The scam has become particularly damaging within close-knit community groups where trust and mutual support are strong cultural values.
Community leaders say many victims are reluctant to report the scams publicly due to embarrassment or fear of damaging relationships.
Authorities Warn of Sophisticated Fraud Networks
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have repeatedly warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated and organised.
ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe recently said scammers “target anyone” and urged Australians to speak openly about fraud to reduce stigma and increase awareness.
The ACCC has also encouraged Australians to follow the anti-scam message:
“Stop. Check. Protect.”
The AFP has warned that cybercriminals are increasingly using impersonation tactics, stolen identities, fake websites and advanced social engineering techniques to gain access to personal accounts and financial information.
Authorities are urging Australians to remain cautious whenever money or personal information is requested online.
Businesses Also Losing Millions
The scam crisis is not limited to individuals.
Payment redirection scams, where criminals intercept invoices or impersonate legitimate businesses, continue to cost Australian companies millions of dollars annually.
Official figures show Australians lost more than A$166 million through payment redirection scams and fake invoices in 2025.
Small businesses are among the hardest hit because scammers often target organisations with limited cybersecurity protections.
Growing Need for Community Awareness
Community organisations across Australia are now increasing anti-scam education campaigns as concern grows over the financial and emotional toll scams are taking on families.
Experts say awareness remains the strongest defence against online fraud.
While technology continues to evolve, authorities stress that most scams still rely on one simple tactic: exploiting human trust.
As Australians become increasingly connected online, police and consumer protection agencies say vigilance, verification and public education will remain essential in combating the country’s growing scam epidemic.
| Scam Prevention Tip | What Australians Should Do |
| Never Share Verification Codes | Never share six-digit verification codes sent by WhatsApp, banks or online platforms, even if the request appears to come from someone familiar. |
| Verify Requests for Money | Always call or contact the person directly using a trusted phone number before transferring money or providing financial assistance. |
| Enable Two-Step Verification | Activate two-factor authentication and PIN protection on WhatsApp, banking apps and email accounts to improve account security. |
| Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links | Do not open unexpected links sent through SMS, email, WhatsApp or social media messages, especially those requesting personal or banking information. |
| Be Wary of Urgency | Be cautious of messages demanding immediate action, claiming emergencies, or threatening account suspension if you do not respond quickly. |
| Protect Personal Information | Avoid sharing sensitive personal details such as passwords, banking information or identity documents online unless the source is verified. |
| Check Website Authenticity | Before entering payment or login details, confirm that websites are genuine and secure by checking URLs carefully. |
| Do Not Allow Remote Access | Never allow unknown individuals to remotely access your phone or computer, even if they claim to represent a bank, government agency or technical support service. |
| Monitor Bank Accounts Regularly | Review bank transactions frequently and report suspicious activity to your bank immediately. |
| Report Scams Immediately | Victims or suspected targets should report incidents to Scamwatch, ReportCyber Australia, or local police authorities. |