Alleged crypto scam call center busted

Australian Federal Police (AFP) are working closely with Philippine authorities to dismantle an alleged scam call center that targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps.

The scam involved a sophisticated operation where scammers, often working in shifts synchronized with Australian time zones, would build trust with their victims before persuading them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms.

According to the AFP, at least 50 Australians have been confirmed victims of the scheme, but Philippine authorities believe the number could be significantly higher.

In a recent raid, Philippine law enforcement seized over 300 computer towers, 1,000 mobile phones, and numerous SIM cards. Over 190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipinos were arrested on immigration charges.

The alleged scam operation was based in Pasay City and was targeted as part of Operation Firestorm, a broader AFP initiative to combat cybercrime.

Despite the recent bust, overall love scam cases in the Philippines have declined significantly this year. The Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) reported a 51.26 percent drop in love scam incidents from January to November, with only 77 cases compared to 158 during the same period in 2023.

Other cybercrimes, such as computer-related identity theft, also saw a 20.51 percent decrease.

The ACG attributes this decline to intensified public awareness campaigns and the government’s crackdown on illegal online gambling operations.