AFP and Filipino officers search the Manila base of operations. Photo: AFP
Federal police officers are working with Philippine authorities to identify Australian victims of online romance scam after more than 250 suspected cyber criminals were arrested in Manila on October 3.
Soon after, two Australian Federal Police officers and a Manila-based liaison officer searched the scam compound in Pasay City, Manila, for information about victims as part of Operation Firestorm, set up this year to disrupt offshore romance, investment or cryptocurrency scams.
AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean says the search was a significant milestone for Operation Firestorm as investigators accessed a scam centre compound for the first time.
“A large portion of cybercrime affecting Australians originates offshore; this action shows how the AFP and its international partners are proactively taking the fight to these syndicates where they operate,” Assistant Commissioner McLean says.
“We have gathered valuable intelligence on the structure of these types of scam call centres, how they are targeting Australians and the ways to help identify victims.”
He says an AFP cryptocurrency expert learnt much about the financial and money laundering structures operating within these hubs.
“That will be immensely helpful in developing our strategies in combatting this crime impacting Australia,” he says.
An AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Collaboration Centre (JPC3) and the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) will contact potential victims as evidence becomes available.
The AFP says Philippine authorities arrested more than 190 foreigners and 68 Filipino nationals, seized more than 300 computer towers, more than 1000 mobile phones and thousands of sim cards.
Men over the age of 35 years are believed to be the targets, on social media and dating apps.
The AFP says scammers would build a rapport with victims before asking them to invest in a fake cryptocurrency trading platform. The alleged scammers were working shifts to align with Australian time zones.
WHAT TO DO
If you are a victim of cybercrime, report it to police using Report Cyber.
Australians should remain vigilant of romance scams and investment scams, and are reminded to consider the following advice:
- Be sceptical of urgent requests for money or personal information, even if they appear to come from trusted sources;
- Use search engines and social media to research a person or a company’s background and ensure their identity matches their online presence;
- Romance scammers can profess love or strong emotions quickly to manipulate their targets emotionally. Be aware of these signs. Always verify the identity of the person you’re communicating with online. Request video calls or meetings in person, if possible;
- Trust your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is; and
- Report any suspicious profiles or interactions to the platform or authorities responsible for online fraud.
If there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, call 000.
