The Most Common Scams Targeting Australians
Australians lose more than $2 billion a year to scams. The methods keep evolving, but a small number of scam types account for most of the damage. Knowing the patterns is the cheapest cyber protection there is, and KNOMI helps families recognise them before money or identity is lost.
Investment and crypto scams
Investment scams are the single largest source of loss for Australians. They start on social media or messaging apps, push 'guaranteed' returns through fake trading platforms, and end with the victim unable to withdraw funds. If a stranger introduces you to crypto, walk away.
Impersonation and 'Hi Mum' scams
Scammers pretending to be banks, the ATO, Australia Post, Toll, or your own family members are the most common day-to-day attacks. The 'Hi Mum' SMS scam — a message from a 'new number' claiming to be a child in trouble — has cost Australian families millions. Verify out-of-band before sending money, ever.
Impersonation scam red flags
- Urgency: 'pay now or your account is locked'
- A phone number, email or sender you've never used before
- Links to login pages that 'look right' but aren't
- Requests to move money to a 'safe account'
Romance, marketplace and remote-access scams
Romance scams build trust over weeks before the financial ask appears. Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers, often using fake PayID 'business upgrade' screens. Remote-access scams convince victims to install AnyDesk or TeamViewer so the scammer can 'fix' a problem — and then drain accounts in real time.
KNOMI Cyber's incident team has seen every variant. If a friend, parent or partner has been pulled into one, the response window matters more than blame.
Frequently asked questions
Which scam costs Australians the most?
Investment scams. They have the largest average loss because victims often invest repeatedly before realising.
Is the 'Hi Mum' scam still active?
Yes — it's now run over WhatsApp, SMS and even voice. Always verify on a known number before transferring.
Can KNOMI help if I've already lost money?
Yes. KNOMI Cyber helps with bank engagement, evidence preservation, ReportCyber and Scamwatch reporting, and recovery support.