The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched a new global initiative targeting organised crime networks that have scammed billions of dollars out of unsuspecting Australians.
This initiative is an extension of Operation Firestorm, which was launched earlier this year, and is focused on cyber criminals and human trafficking networks in South-East Asia and Eastern Europe.
The AFP has confirmed that the strategies used in Operation Gain, which successfully targets prominent offshore organised crime impacting Australians, will be applied to this new operation.
Operation Firestorm is supported by AFP cybercrime liaison officers stationed in Pretoria, London, The Hague, Belgrade and Washington, and has a significant presence in South-East Asia, where 30 AFP members are working alongside local law enforcement to combat large-scale criminal operations, including boiler rooms.
AFP assistant commissioner David McLean emphasised the global reach of the AFP, bolstered by extensive international partnerships, in addressing the threat posed by scammers targeting Australians.
“The AFP will not stand by and watch Australians, mums and dads, and business owners lose eye-watering amounts of money to scammers, in particular those who have set up boiler rooms in South-East Asia,’’ McLean said.
“We are working closely with our international partners to share intelligence and identify the significant heads of the cyber scam syndicates.
“We will work closely with our partners to help protect scam victims, who are not just in Australia.
“We need to be clear – these syndicates are well-resourced and all over the world.
“Operation Firestorm will be a long-standing and complex investigation but the AFP will not resile from our mission – protecting Australians and Australia’s interests.”
Operation Firestorm operates out of the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3) in Sydney, which coordinates Australia's response to high-impact cybercrime. The JPC3 facilitates intelligence sharing and collaboration among Commonwealth, state and territory police, industry partners and international allies.
Scammers are also victims
McLean noted that some scammers are victims themselves, deceived or trafficked into working in these operations.
“We know in many cases, that the scammers are also victims themselves, who have been deceived or human trafficked into working in these boiler rooms and then forced to deceive and manipulate Australians into handing over money.
“Just like in the illicit drug trafficking trade, organised crime will always find ways to make money where there is vulnerability and profitability.
“Unfortunately, Australians are targeted for their wealth and their take-up of technology.”
The AFP is committed to working with government and industry to combat scams, including targeting the cybercriminals and money laundering networks that support organised crime groups.
The public is encouraged to educate themselves on cybercrime prevention through AFP resources. In case of an immediate threat or harm, contact emergency services at 000. Victims of cybercrime are advised to report incidents through Report Cyber.