AFP scam calls: how the fake Australian Federal Police call works
Quick answer
A call, email or message from someone claiming to be the Australian Federal Police who says there is suspicious activity on your accounts or a warrant for you is a scam. The AFP says it never threatens arrest, demands money or asks for personal details this way. Hang up and report it to Scamwatch.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Email, Social media
- Pretends to be
- Australian Federal Police
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be Federal Agents. According to Scamwatch, they tell you they have spotted suspicious activity on your bank accounts and ask for personal details. Then they direct you to deposit money into an "AFP account" to protect it or to settle a problem.
Some also send a fake arrest warrant by email or social media. The call can even show a genuine AFP number on your phone, and police suspect the calls come from overseas.
What they want is money and personal details. The pressure is the tactic: a threat, a deadline and a request to keep acting before you can talk to anyone.
Red flags
- A caller claiming to be the AFP who says your bank accounts show suspicious activity
- A threat of arrest or a warrant sent by email or social media
- A request to deposit money into an "AFP account"
- A request for personal details over the phone, email or social media
- Demands to pay fines in cash, crypto or gift cards
- Caller ID showing a real AFP number, which can be faked
Example message
This is Agent [name] from the Australian Federal Police. We've detected suspicious activity on your bank accounts and a warrant has been issued. To protect your money, transfer it to a secure account and confirm your details. Call [phone number] now.
What to do
- 1
Hang up and don't call back
Don't use any number the caller or message gave you. If you're unsure, find the AFP switchboard number on afp.gov.au yourself and call that.
- 2
Don't send money or share details
The AFP says it won't threaten arrest, demand money or ask for personal details by phone, email or social media.
- 3
If you paid or shared details, call your bank
Use the number on the back of your card or on the bank's own site. Tell them it was a scam and ask them to stop or recall the payment.
- 4
Change passwords you may have shared
Change them on any account you mentioned and turn on two-step verification where it's offered.
- 5
Keep a record
Save call logs, emails and payment receipts for your report and your bank.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers get names, phone numbers, addresses and emails from people-search sites and data breaches, which is how a message can feel personal. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your details and removes them, and alerts you when your email or phone number shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
Is the AFP really calling me?
The AFP says it doesn't threaten arrest, demand money or ask for personal details by phone, email or social media. A call like that is a scam.
The caller ID showed an AFP number. Does that make it real?
No. Scamwatch notes these calls can show a genuine AFP number. Hang up and call the AFP switchboard from its own website.
What if the caller knew my name and my bank?
Scammers can find names, numbers and other details from breaches and public listings. Knowing them proves nothing.
Where do I report it?
Report it to Scamwatch, and contact your bank right away if you paid or shared details.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
