Targeting scams report

Latest report

Targeting scams report 2023

This is the first annual report on scams activity released by the National Anti-Scam Centre since it was established on 1 July 2023.

This report provides insight into scams reported by Australians in 2023 and highlights the impact of government and private sector initiatives to combat scams.

Published April 2024

Infographic

View the accessible text version of the infographic

Losses

Total combined losses reported to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, IDCARE, Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): $2.74 billion

601,000+ scam reports (an increase of 18.5%)

Combined losses over last 4 years

2020: $851 million

2021: $1.8 billion

2022: $3.1 billion

2023: $2.7 billion

Top 5 scams by loss (combined data)

Investment scams: $1.3 billion
Remote access: $256 million
Romance: $201.1 million
Phishing: $137.4 million
Payment redirection: $91.6 million

Successful scam disruption pilots

Government, law enforcement, banks, telcos and digital platforms contributed to:

Sharing data and intel

Data sharing of scam phone numbers and bank accounts to disrupt scams
Banks using data and intel to enhance detection

Scam websites and ads

Over 3,500 investment scam websites taken down

Scam diversion and victim support

Diverting victims who call scam numbers to warnings and assistance
Automatic referral of scam victims to IDCARE

Scam payments

Stopping payments to crypto exchanges used by scammers
Stopping scam transactions through added frictions
First bank payee verification

Previous reports

Targeting scams report 2022

This report explains key trends in scam activity and highlights the impact of scams on the community.

It highlights some of the cooperative work of the ACCC, other regulators and law enforcement agencies, and private sector to disrupt scams and educate consumers.

Published April 2023