November 26th 2024.
Recently, there has been a joint effort between federal police and Philippine authorities to assist in the identification of Australian individuals who have fallen victim to romance scams. This initiative was sparked after 250 cybercriminals were apprehended in Manila last month. Philippine law enforcement agencies conducted a search in Pasay City on October 3rd, resulting in the arrest of over 190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals for immigration-related offenses.
Investigations revealed that the scammers targeted men above the age of 35 through social media and dating applications. These individuals would gain the trust of their victims before luring them into investing money in a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform. Interestingly, the scammers worked in shifts to align with Australian time zones, making it easier to deceive their targets.
According to AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean, a significant portion of cybercrime affecting Australians originates from offshore. He further stated that this joint operation goes to show how the Australian Federal Police and its international partners are taking proactive steps to combat these syndicates.
The operation was carried out under the name "Operation Firestorm," which was established earlier this year to disrupt offshore organized crime syndicates that deceive Australians through romance, investment, or cryptocurrency scams. As a result of this operation, valuable intelligence has been gathered on the structure of these scam call centers, their methods of targeting Australians, and ways to identify potential victims.
McLean also mentioned the involvement of an AFP cryptocurrency expert who provided unique insights into the financial and money laundering structures operating within these hubs. This information will greatly aid in developing strategies to combat this type of crime that affects Australia.
In addition to the arrests, Philippine authorities also seized over 300 computer towers, 1000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards at the scam compound in Manila. This successful joint effort between law enforcement agencies highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling cybercrime.
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