Latest news with #WAScamNet
Sky News AU
14 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Nearly $11 million lost a year in Western Australia to sophisticated 'celebrity' scams, and experts warn number could grow
Residents in Western Australia have lost nearly $11 million to 'celebrity' deepfake scams in the last year. That is according to new figures released by WA ScamNet, which revealed that Western Australians have lost $10.8 million in scams involving deepfake images of famous people. According to WA ScamNet, deepfakes occur when a scammer, often based overseas, will deliberately manipulate video of a famous person to gain the trust of their victims, before convincing them to either invest in a cryptocurrency or an investment scam. After investing an initial sum, the victim is then encouraged to invest more of their money before the scammer deletes their profile or stops responding to them. Often, the scammers will also give back small returns to convince their victims that the scam is legitimate. In other scams, the predators will pretend to be from either the Australian Tax Office or the Australian Federal Police and convince people that to get their money back, they need to move their superannuation or savings into a 'safe account' to protect it from fraud. 'Being told to deposit more money to access your funds, citing taxes or other fees is a major red flag of an investment scam,' said Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake. She also said that the use of celebrity images in scams were getting better, with vulnerable Australians often the group at risk. But Ms Blake also said that there was a secondary scam that also took place called the recovery scam. This occurs when after the initial scammer has deleted their profile, the victim is then approached by an 'expert' claiming that the victim's lost funds can be recovered. 'After falling victim to an investment scam, many are again approached by so-called 'recovery experts', claiming they can retrieve lost funds,' she said. 'These follow-up scams prey on hope and desperation and can lead to even greater losses.' Nationally, the top five scams in the country are romance scams, followed by investment scams, payment redirection, remote access technical support scams and phishing scams. The ACCC recommends that people follow the Stop, Act, Check and Protect to avoid scams and to notify their bank or financial institution along with Scamwatch if they feel that they have been scammed or know someone who has been scammed. Scams can be reported via the Scamwatch report page by going to or by reaching out to your local state or territory consumer watchdog.
West Australian
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
West Aussies have lost $30 million to celebrity and cryptocurrency scams since 2024
Imagine your entire superannuation and life savings vanishing in one day — all because of one convincing video from social media. West Australians are increasingly being duped by celebrity and crypto cons, resulting in millions of dollars being stolen. New research by WA ScamNet revealed that almost 50 WA residents have fallen victim to investment scams in 2025, resulting in $10.8 million being stolen. In 2024 alone, 76 WA victims reported handing over nearly $19.4 million to scammers and their schemes. One victim was reported to have lost an astonishing $10 million after being lured in by a 'deepfake' online celebrity endorsement video. Deepfakes are lifelike impersonations of real people, oftentimes celebrities, created by artificial intelligence. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chair Catriona Lowe said that the WA victim was just one of many Aussies falling for the scams. 'We know of an Australian man who lost $80,000 after seeing a deepfake Elon Musk video interview on social media, clicking the link and registering his details through an online form,' Ms Lowe said. Celebrity deepfake scams have exploded globally with the rise of AI, with one highly notable incident in January resulting in a French woman revealing that she had lost $1.3 million to 'actor Brad Pitt' — except it wasn't him, it was a scammer using deepfake images. Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake said that scammers were getting better at using celebrity images to dupe vulnerable individuals. 'The use of celebrity images, increasingly in deepfake videos, to endorse investment schemes is a deliberate tactic by scammers to fabricate legitimacy and entice victims with promises of rapid wealth,' she said. 'Being told to deposit more money to access your funds, citing taxes or other fees is a major red flag of an investment scam, so too are pressure tactics like being told your account will be frozen if you don't invest more.' Another investment scam causing distress in 2024 and 2025 were fake cryptocurrency trading, with victims believing they were investing in 'low-risk, high-return' schemes. WA ScamNet observed a rise in scammers infiltrating legitimate platforms to sell fraudulent cryptocurrency coins or 'mystery coins' that drain wallets of legitimate currency. 'Crypto scammers thrive on market complexity, using confusion and fake 'insider knowledge' to trick you,' Ms Blake said. 'They call their victims regularly, offering to set up their trading profiles to gain access to devices, while manipulating them into handing over their superannuation to invest.' Consumer Protections WA urges Aussies interested in cryptocurrency to conduct thorough research, read websites critically and be suspicious of promises that sound too good to be true. Ms Blake warned that people who have fallen victim to scams previously were at higher risk of scammers returning for a second attempt. 'After falling victim to an investment scam, many are again approached by so-called 'recovery experts', claiming they can retrieve lost funds,' she said. 'These follow-up scams prey on hope and desperation and can lead to even greater losses.' Further information about scams and where to report them can be found on the WA ScamNet website .
Perth Now
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
How deepfake cons are fleecing West Aussies out of millions
Imagine your entire superannuation and life savings vanishing in one day — all because of one convincing video from social media. West Australians are increasingly being duped by celebrity and crypto cons, resulting in millions of dollars being stolen. New research by WA ScamNet revealed that almost 50 WA residents have fallen victim to investment scams in 2025, resulting in $10.8 million being stolen. In 2024 alone, 76 WA victims reported handing over nearly $19.4 million to scammers and their schemes. One victim was reported to have lost an astonishing $10 million after being lured in by a 'deepfake' online celebrity endorsement video. Deepfakes are lifelike impersonations of real people, oftentimes celebrities, created by artificial intelligence. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chair Catriona Lowe said that the WA victim was just one of many Aussies falling for the scams. 'We know of an Australian man who lost $80,000 after seeing a deepfake Elon Musk video interview on social media, clicking the link and registering his details through an online form,' Ms Lowe said. One celebrity scam shared by Consumer Protections shows former Sunrise host David Koch (Kochie) promoting cyptocurrency - except it's not him, it's a scam. Credit: Consumer Protection WA Celebrity deepfake scams have exploded globally with the rise of AI, with one highly notable incident in January resulting in a French woman revealing that she had lost $1.3 million to 'actor Brad Pitt' — except it wasn't him, it was a scammer using deepfake images. Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake said that scammers were getting better at using celebrity images to dupe vulnerable individuals. 'The use of celebrity images, increasingly in deepfake videos, to endorse investment schemes is a deliberate tactic by scammers to fabricate legitimacy and entice victims with promises of rapid wealth,' she said. 'Being told to deposit more money to access your funds, citing taxes or other fees is a major red flag of an investment scam, so too are pressure tactics like being told your account will be frozen if you don't invest more.' Another investment scam causing distress in 2024 and 2025 were fake cryptocurrency trading, with victims believing they were investing in 'low-risk, high-return' schemes. Fake cryptocurrency trading scams are on the rise in WA Credit: Adobe WA ScamNet observed a rise in scammers infiltrating legitimate platforms to sell fraudulent cryptocurrency coins or 'mystery coins' that drain wallets of legitimate currency. 'Crypto scammers thrive on market complexity, using confusion and fake 'insider knowledge' to trick you,' Ms Blake said. 'They call their victims regularly, offering to set up their trading profiles to gain access to devices, while manipulating them into handing over their superannuation to invest.' Consumer Protections WA urges Aussies interested in cryptocurrency to conduct thorough research, read websites critically and be suspicious of promises that sound too good to be true. Ms Blake warned that people who have fallen victim to scams previously were at higher risk of scammers returning for a second attempt. 'After falling victim to an investment scam, many are again approached by so-called 'recovery experts', claiming they can retrieve lost funds,' she said. 'These follow-up scams prey on hope and desperation and can lead to even greater losses.' Further information about scams and where to report them can be found on the WA ScamNet website.
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Scam tactic used to steal $10m from Aussies
Australians are falling victim to a particular type of scam that has already cost those being duped in one state $10m since the start of the year. WA ScamNet figure shows Australians are increasingly being scammed by fake celebrity endorsements. Since the start of 2024, there have been 76 West Australian victims who have reported handing over nearly $19.4m to fake scams. In 2025, scammers have siphoned $10.8m from 48 WA people who have been fooled. Scammers are taking large amounts from victims through fake celebrity endorsements. Supplied Credit: Supplied Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake pointed out that scammers were getting better at using celebrity images to dupe vulnerable Australians. 'The use of celebrity images, increasingly in deepfake videos, to endorse investment schemes is a deliberate tactic by scammers to fabricate legitimacy and entice victims with promises of rapid wealth,' Ms Blake said. From there, they ask for small payments and a few personal identification details to set up an account. The scammers will give small returns and gifts to gain the trust of the target. Once they have gained the victim's trust, the scammers demand larger and larger payments through cryptocurrencies and direct bank transfers to pay for fictitious fees and taxes. 'Being told to deposit more money to access your funds, citing taxes or other fees is a major red flag of an investment scam, so too are pressure tactics like being told your account will be frozen if you don't invest more,' Ms Blake said. Scammers will then return for a second strike by offering to give the victim their money back. Supplied Credit: istock Ms Blake warned that scammers were also returning for a second strike on victims. 'After falling victim to an investment scam, many are again approached by so-called 'recovery experts', claiming they can retrieve lost funds,' she said. 'These follow-up scams prey on hope and desperation and can lead to even greater losses.' Another way scammers are ripping off WA victims is through fake cryptocurrency trading, which is sold as low risk and high returns. 'Crypto scammers thrive on market complexity, using confusion and fake 'insider knowledge' to trick you,' Ms Blake said. 'By posing as trusted advisers, they call their victims regularly, offering to set up their trading profiles to gain access to devices while manipulating them into handing over their superannuation to invest. 'If you're curious about crypto, protect yourself by conducting thorough independent research – investigate tokens and exchanges online, read websites critically, and be highly suspicious of promises of high returns with low risk.'
West Australian
20 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
‘Entice victims with rapid wealth': Scammers' celebrity tactic to steal millions
Australians are falling victim to a particular type of scam that has already cost those being duped in one state $10m since the start of the year. WA ScamNet figure shows Australians are increasingly being scammed by fake celebrity endorsements. Since the start of 2024, there have been 76 West Australian victims who have reported handing over nearly $19.4m to fake scams. In 2025, scammers have siphoned $10.8m from 48 WA people who have been fooled. Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake pointed out that scammers were getting better at using celebrity images to dupe vulnerable Australians. 'The use of celebrity images, increasingly in deepfake videos, to endorse investment schemes is a deliberate tactic by scammers to fabricate legitimacy and entice victims with promises of rapid wealth,' Ms Blake said. From there, they ask for small payments and a few personal identification details to set up an account. The scammers will give small returns and gifts to gain the trust of the target. Once they have gained the victim's trust, the scammers demand larger and larger payments through cryptocurrencies and direct bank transfers to pay for fictitious fees and taxes. 'Being told to deposit more money to access your funds, citing taxes or other fees is a major red flag of an investment scam, so too are pressure tactics like being told your account will be frozen if you don't invest more,' Ms Blake said. Ms Blake warned that scammers were also returning for a second strike on victims. 'After falling victim to an investment scam, many are again approached by so-called 'recovery experts', claiming they can retrieve lost funds,' she said. 'These follow-up scams prey on hope and desperation and can lead to even greater losses.' Another way scammers are ripping off WA victims is through fake cryptocurrency trading, which is sold as low risk and high returns. 'Crypto scammers thrive on market complexity, using confusion and fake 'insider knowledge' to trick you,' Ms Blake said. 'By posing as trusted advisers, they call their victims regularly, offering to set up their trading profiles to gain access to devices while manipulating them into handing over their superannuation to invest. 'If you're curious about crypto, protect yourself by conducting thorough independent research – investigate tokens and exchanges online, read websites critically, and be highly suspicious of promises of high returns with low risk.'
