Police are warning the public about a number of "authority scams" targeting members of the community.
Officers across several Police Area Commands have received reports of the scams, with some victims reporting losses of more than $50,000.
The scams appear to be targeting multicultural communities, including the Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian communities across Sydney.
Victims have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be an official from an embassy, or police force, before being told that their passport and personal information were found on a recently arrested individual overseas.
The victim is then threatened with extradition or deportation to face the criminal justice system overseas unless they pay an amount of money.
Some victims have reported receiving multiple calls over several days and via different phone apps including Viber and WhatsApp.
Examples of some incidents include:
- On Friday 10 October 2025, officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command were told a 26-year-old man received a call from someone claiming to be a Vietnamese police officer. The man was told he was being accused of money laundering and there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The man was given an option to transfer an amount of money to a foreign bank account. In the days following, the man contacted Vietnamese police and was advised the call was a scam. The man reported a loss of $27,000.
- On Tuesday 26 August 2025, officers attached to the Fairfield City Police Area Command were told a 45-year-old woman received a call from a person claiming to be from the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia informing her that they had received a letter alleging she had been involved in money laundering. The woman was then transferred to a senior officer, who informed the woman a man had been arrested in China with a number of foreign passports in his possession, including hers. The officer informed the woman she would be arrested and escorted to Vietnam within seven days. She was then presented with a document that included her personal details and was told she needed to transfer funds to a foreign account to prove her innocence. The woman was harassed daily by the scammers and reported a loss of more than $57,000.
- On Thursday 21 August 2025, officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command were told an 87-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman received a call from a man who claimed he was from the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra and had received a letter from Vietnamese police that stated the 87-year-old man was involved in an international money laundering matter. The pair were then told a man had been arrested in Vietnam with a number of foreign passports in his possession, including hers. The pair were then contacted by a second person who claimed to be a Vietnamese police officer and was told that if they did not cooperate, or if they reported the matter to their local police, they would be deported. The pair reported a loss of more than $17,000.
Cybercrime Squad Commander Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Smith said scammers use many tactics to scare victims into handing over their personal information and money.
"These calls, and the threats made, may appear real, but they are not. These people are only trying to take advantage of your fears," Acting Superintendent Smith said.
"We understand people who receive such calls will be scared and concerned - if you do receive one of these calls, hang up and report it immediately.
"Some of these victims are vulnerable members of our community who are losing thousands of dollars in their savings.
"Anyone who thinks they may have received a scam call, or has fallen victim to a scam, is urged to report it."
Detective Acting Superintendent Smith said scam calls don't always come from a foreign number, they are often spoofed to appear to come from an Australian landline or mobile phone number.
Advice for the community:
- Do not share personal information or financial details over the phone
- Do not transfer funds to people you do not know
- Do not respond to threats or demands for payment
- Do not visit websites or click links provided by scammers
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a fraud or scam is urged to report the matter via the Report Cyber portal or at their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Multilingual officers are stationed at various police stations. You can ring your local police station ahead of time to check which languages are available. Police also use tools such as the Language+ App to communicate with non-English speakers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
