This is the first Monday Scam Brief on scam.com.au. Each week we summarise official Australian scam alerts only — Scamwatch, the National Anti-Scam Centre, and other government sources — and link back to the original pages.
The standout official action this week is a large victim-notification campaign after an overseas cryptocurrency investigation. Older Scamwatch alerts on fake purchase-callback texts and ATO / myGov impersonation are still current.
Official alerts this week
National Anti-Scam Centre emailed more than 10,000 Australians after a UK crypto investigation
Source: Scamwatch / National Anti-Scam Centre, 17 August 2026
The National Anti-Scam Centre contacted more than 10,000 Australians by email after their details turned up in a United Kingdom police investigation of an organised crime group targeting cryptocurrency exchange and hardware-wallet users in several countries.
If you received that email, treat it as a warning, not a request. The Centre will not ask you to send money, crypto, or passwords. Do not click links in unexpected crypto messages. Open your exchange or wallet only from an address you already trust, and report anything suspicious to Scamwatch.
Still active official warnings
Fake purchase-callback texts
Source: Scamwatch, 14 July 2026
Scammers send a message claiming you bought something you did not buy, then tell you to call a number to cancel or reverse the payment. The number is the scammer. Hang up, do not call the number in the message, and check any real purchase through the store’s official app or website.
ATO and myGov impersonation — tax time
Source: Scamwatch and the ATO, 26 June 2026
Scamwatch and the Australian Taxation Office are warning about emails, texts and calls that pretend to be from the ATO or myGov. The ATO will not demand urgent payment by gift card, crypto, or a transfer to a “safe account”. Sign in only through ato.gov.au or my.gov.au that you typed yourself.
Fake online casinos (“scambling”)
Source: National Anti-Scam Centre news
The National Anti-Scam Centre has a fusion cell targeting fake online casino and gambling sites that take deposits, manipulate results, and block withdrawals. Licensed Australian operators can offer sports and race betting and lotteries. Real-money pokies and online casino games from unlicensed sites are illegal here and are often scams. Check an operator on the ACMA legal-operator tool before you pay.
What to do
- Stop. Unexpected messages that rush you to pay, call, or share codes are a warning sign. Pause.
- Check. Use a phone number or website you already know, not the one in the message.
- Protect. If money or details have gone, contact your bank first, then report it.
How to report
- Scamwatch (ACCC): scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
- Report a cybercrime to police via ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au
- Identity and recovery support: IDCARE on 1800 595 160
This brief is a public-interest summary of official Australian sources. It is not legal, financial or tax advice. Always rely on the original agency page linked above.