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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

The fake police scam stealing millions from Australia's Chinese community

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Sophisticated criminals in Australia are impersonating Chinese law enforcement to scam Chinese community members out of millions of dollars.
  • Victims are tricked into believing they are under investigation for serious crimes and are coerced into sending money to prove their innocence.
  • Authority scams targeting the Chinese community have resulted in the highest losses among multicultural communities in Australia, with median losses of $55,000.

A man named Justin, who believed he was being investigated by Chinese authorities for international money laundering, prepared to record a statement to prove his innocence. He addressed a camera, pleading with a judge to clarify the facts and confirm his innocence. However, Justin was unaware that the people he was interacting with were sophisticated criminals, not law enforcement, and they were about to steal nearly all his life savings.

Everything he has been accused of is "fabricated, unfounded and unrealistic"

— JustinJustin, a victim of the scam, recorded a statement asserting his innocence and claiming the accusations against him were false.

These "authority scams" have targeted Australia's Chinese community, resulting in significant financial losses. According to the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), over $12 million was lost to these scams in 2025, with 1,294 reports filed. Catriona Lowe, ACCC deputy chair, noted that while authority scams targeting multicultural communities have high losses, those targeting the Chinese community specifically incurred the highest amounts, with a median loss of $55,000 per victim.

I earnestly request the wise presiding judge to clarify the facts on my behalf and confirm my innocence. I sincerely ask for your assistance.

— JustinJustin's plea recorded on camera, demonstrating his belief that he was addressing a judicial authority.

Lowe explained that the sophistication of these scams has increased over the years. Scammers effectively use both technology and psychology to trap their victims. The documentation and methods presented by the criminals are highly convincing, often mimicking official police transfers between departments. This makes it difficult for victims to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communications.

of all the scams targeting multicultural communities in Australia, authority scams targeting the Chinese community had the highest losses.

— Catriona LoweACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe highlights the significant financial impact of authority scams on the Chinese community in Australia.

Stephanie Tonkin, CEO of the Consumer Action Law Centre, described these scams as "industrialized." Scammers invest considerable time and money in grooming their victims, often exploiting fears of deportation or reprisal. This psychological manipulation creates deep panic and despair, preventing victims from thinking clearly and making them vulnerable to handing over large sums of money. The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone claiming to be from an Australian consulate or similar authority.

We are seeing scammers utilising both technology and psychology incredibly effectively to trap their victims in this crime

— Catriona LoweCatriona Lowe describes the sophisticated methods scammers employ, combining technological tools with psychological manipulation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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