TL;DR: This page collects 10 dated, sourced scam and fraud stories from Australia, reported by Scamwatch, the National Anti-Scam Centre and state regulators and local media between August and October 2026. Each links to a full write-up with the red flags and what to do. Report scams quickly: speed is the biggest factor in recovering money.
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This month's stories
- Scamwatch Warns Investment Scams Are Hiding in Group Chats and Fake News: Scamwatch's 28 September 2026 alert warns of investment scams run through WhatsApp groups, fake Reuters articles and referrals from people you trust.
- Scammers Pose as Ministers to Ask Congregations for Gift Cards: ABC News reported on 23 September 2026 that scammers have impersonated church ministers since 2021, asking congregations to buy gift cards.
- WA Warns of Fake Ticket Listings as the Summer Events Season Nears: WA Consumer Protection warned on 17 September 2026 that over $1,000 was lost to ticket scammers in early September, with most losses in warm months.
- A Fake myGov 'New Message' Email Asks for Everything in One Visit: MailGuard's 18 September 2026 analysis found a fake myGov email that takes logins, three SMS codes and licence photos across seven stages.
- Government, Rewards-Points and Toll Impersonations Lead Australian Scam Detections: TrendLife's 8 September 2026 report of 236,839 detections found government impersonation was 38 per cent, with toll and fine scams also common.
- Australians Lost $2.18 Billion to Scams in 2025, and Investment Scams Cost the Most: Reported NASC figures: Australians lost $2.18 billion to scams in 2025, up 7.8 per cent, with investment scams costing $837.7 million.
- Fake ABC News Articles Led to a Global Investment Scam Network, Investigation Finds: An ABC News investigation published 20 August 2026 traced fake ABC articles to the Sapphire Network, which has targeted over 4,000 Australians.
- National Anti-Scam Centre Emails 10,000 Australians After UK Crypto Probe: On 17 August 2026 the National Anti-Scam Centre emailed over 10,000 Australians after a UK police probe into crypto wallet and exchange scammers.
- A 'Vote for Me' Message From a Friend Led to a Hijacked X Account: An ABC News report of 8 August 2026 describes how a 'vote for me' direct message led to a hijacked X account and spam to thousands of Australians.
- 'You Bought Something' Messages Want You to Phone a Scammer, Scamwatch Warns: Scamwatch's 14 July 2026 alert warns of fake receipts for $300 to $2,000 purchases that urge you to phone a number, then ask for remote access.
What the stories have in common
Most of these scams rely on pressure, secrecy and a request for payment or a login. The simplest defence is to stop, check the request through a contact method you find yourself, and tell someone before you act.
Where to report
Report to Scamwatch and IDCARE, and tell your bank straight away. Our guide on how to report a scam to Scamwatch lists the steps, and What to do after a scam, wherever you live covers what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I report a scam in Australia?
Report it to Scamwatch or IDCARE and contact your bank immediately. See our guide for the full steps.
How often is this Australia scam news roundup updated?
We add new, verified stories regularly and date every one. Each post links to its original source.
What is the most important thing to do after a scam?
Contact your bank straight away and report it. In most recoveries, speed made the difference.