Some of the links on this site may be affiliate links. ICOBench may receive advertising commissions when users visit recommended platforms via our affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on a comprehensive review process. 
The long-running cat-and-mouse game between cryptocurrency scammers and law enforcement in Australia has taken a disturbing new turn. Authorities have issued a nationwide alert after discovering that cybercriminals are exploiting ReportCyber, the Australian government’s official cybercrime reporting portal , using it as a weapon to steal crypto wallets and digital assets from unsuspecting victims.
🚨🇦🇺 ALERT: Scammers in Australia are impersonating police officers and exploiting the ReportCyber platform to make fake cases look legitimate, before stealing victims’ crypto holdings. pic.twitter.com/CUIWlSJSYS
— The Crypto Times (@CryptoTimes_io) November 13, 2025
According to a statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), scammers have already emptied multiple crypto wallets by impersonating law enforcement officers and tricking victims into sharing sensitive wallet credentials.
Scammers Pose as Federal Agents Using Real Case Numbers
ReportCyber was designed to help Australians report cases of cybercrime and receive legitimate assistance from authorities. However, the platform allows third parties to file complaints on behalf of victims, a feature that fraudsters are now exploiting.
Here’s how the scam works:
- Identity theft: Scammers collect personal data such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers, which are often sourced from leaked databases.
- Fake investigation setup: They create an official-looking ReportCyber case file using this information.
- Impersonation call: Victims are then contacted by individuals posing as AFP officers, who claim their case is under investigation and provide an authentic-looking ReportCyber reference number.
- Phishing trap: Later, the same fraudsters call again, this time pretending to represent a “government-certified exchange” that will “secure” the victim’s crypto in a cold wallet.
Once victims provide seed phrases, recovery codes, or wallet passwords, their digital assets are drained instantly.
The scam mirrors similar law enforcement impersonation schemes reported earlier this year in the United Kingdom and Wales, suggesting an evolving international fraud network.
The AFP has warned the public to remain vigilant, emphasizing that no legitimate officer or government official will ever ask for private keys or seed phrases.
This incident comes amid Australia’s wider crackdown on crypto-related fraud, which includes:
- Stricter regulations for crypto ATMs and service providers.
- The shutdown of over 3,000 fraudulent crypto websites in the past two years.
- Regulatory action against Binance Australia, which was subjected to an audit by AUSTRAC (the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) in August 2025 for “significant compliance gaps.”
AUSTRAC has also announced plans to update anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, describing cryptocurrencies as a “top-tier money-laundering risk.”
The coordinated effort reflects Australia’s growing determination to restore trust and integrity in its rapidly expanding digital asset ecosystem. A secure crypto wallet is crucial for people storing their assets.
