The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is working alongside Philippine authorities to identify Australian victims of romance scams following the arrest of over 250 suspected cyber criminals in Manila.
On 3 October 2024, Philippine law enforcement raided a suspected scam compound in Pasay City, central Manila, in connection with immigration violations. AFP officers, including a Manila-based liaison, joined the operation to gather intelligence on Australian scam victims.
The operation, named Operation Firestorm, was launched earlier this year to disrupt organised crime syndicates targeting Australians through scams involving romance, investment, and cryptocurrency.
AFP technical and cryptocurrency experts, in collaboration with the Philippines’ Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), are collecting information on the victims targeted and the methods used to extract money.
The AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Collaboration Centre (JPC3), working with the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), will reach out to potential victims once evidence is available. This intelligence will also be shared with international law enforcement partners to help shut down other scam centres globally.
Authorities arrested 190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipinos for alleged immigration offences, while seizing over 300 computer towers, 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards.
The scammers are believed to have targeted men aged 35 and over through social media and dating apps, establishing trust before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.
AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean called the raid a significant achievement for Operation Firestorm.
“A large portion of cybercrime affecting Australians originates offshore, and this action shows how the AFP and its international partners are proactively taking the fight to these syndicates where they operate.”
He praised the work of the PAOCC and NBI, highlighting the valuable intelligence gathered, which will assist in dismantling these scam networks.
Australians are urged to stay vigilant against romance and investment scams. Authorities advise:
- Be cautious of urgent requests for money or personal details.
- Research individuals or companies online to verify their identity.
- Beware of scammers who rush to express strong emotions—always verify their identity through video calls.
- Trust your instincts—if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.
- Report any suspicious interactions to relevant platforms or authorities.
If you suspect you are a victim of cybercrime, report it to police via Report Cyber.
The JPC3 continues to work with global partners to combat cybercrime and reduce harm to the Australian public.
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