More than 250 people were arrested after authorities shut down a scam call centre operation in the Philippines, which had been exploiting Australian men aged 35 and above.
The Australian Federal Police conducted a search of a suspected scam operation in Pasay City, central Manila, Philippines, on October 3.
The fraudulent operation primarily targeted individuals on dating apps and social media platforms, where scammers built emotional connections with their victims before luring them into investing substantial sums into a fake cryptocurrency trading platform.
The criminals behind the scam call centre worked in shifts, ensuring their operations ran in sync with Australian time zones.
Hundreds of computers were seized.
This strategy allowed the fraudsters to form relationships with their targets, sometimes over an extended period, before ultimately convincing them to send money.
According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the scammers used sophisticated methods to manipulate their victims, making the scams appear legitimate and trustworthy.
As part of their investigation, Philippine law enforcement executed a search warrant at the call centre, which led to the seizure of more than 300 computer towers, over 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards.
More than 1,000 mobile phones and thousands of SIM cards were seized during the operation.
Additionally, they arrested 190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals on suspicion of immigration offences.
The raid uncovered significant evidence pointing to the scale of the operation, with law enforcement officials estimating that the number of Australians targeted could reach into the thousands.
Following the raid, the AFP swiftly launched Operation Firestorm, an initiative designed to dismantle organised crime syndicates targeting Australians.
The operation focuses on scams related to romance, investments, and cryptocurrency, all of which have been used to exploit Australian citizens.
AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean described the search as a significant milestone, as it marked the first time investigators had gained access to a scam call centre under the operation.
McLean said:
“We have gathered valuable intelligence on the structure of these types of [alleged] scam call centres, how they are targeting Australians and the ways to help identify victims.”
He added:
“An AFP cryptocurrency expert was given a unique insight into the [alleged] financial and money laundering structures operating within these hubs, and that will be immensely helpful in developing our strategies in combatting this crime impacting Australia.”
The AFP also deployed a cryptocurrency expert to gain an in-depth understanding of the fraudulent financial operations.
This unique insight into the money-laundering techniques used by the scammers will play a pivotal role in shaping future strategies to counter the threat of such scams.
As scams involving cryptocurrencies continue to rise, this intelligence will be crucial in protecting Australians from financial exploitation.
The AFP has issued a stern warning to Australians, urging them to remain vigilant against romance scams.
With scammers known to move quickly in professing love or strong emotions, the AFP has advised the public to be cautious of anyone who makes urgent requests for money or personal information.
In the statement, the AFP warned:
“Romance scammers can profess love or strong emotions quickly to manipulate their targets emotionally. Be aware of these signs.”
The agency recommends verifying the identity of anyone you meet online, especially if they ask for money or personal details.
AFP further advised on the importance of being sceptical when engaging with strangers online.
"Request video calls or meetings in person, if possible. Trust your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is”
In fact, reporting suspicious profiles is a responsibility for everyone, not just Australians.
Staying vigilant and taking action can be crucial in preventing others from becoming victims of these sophisticated scams.
The SEC has charged individuals behind two crypto scams, NanoBit and CoinW6, that exploited investors through “relationship investment” tactics, warning of the growing threat of romance scams in the crypto sector.
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