Australia Scam Statistics
Reported scam losses in Australia, drawn from the ACCC National Anti-Scam Centre's Targeting Scams annual report.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Australia's primary official source for scam data is the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), operated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Its annual Targeting Scams report combines data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX), IDCARE, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Because the report aggregates multiple reporting channels, its total is broader than Scamwatch alone. However, as with all fraud statistics globally, reported figures represent only a fraction of actual losses — many victims do not report at all.
Key figures
$2.03 billion in 2024 — a 25.9% decrease from 2023
Total combined reported scam losses in Australia
Source: ACCC / NASC Targeting Scams Report 2024 (2024)
494,732 reports in 2024, down 17.8% from 601,803 in 2023
Total scam reports across reporting agencies
Source: ACCC / NASC Targeting Scams Report 2024 (2024)
$945 million in 2024 — the highest-loss category
Reported losses to investment scams
Source: ACCC / NASC Targeting Scams Report 2024 (2024)
Key takeaways
- According to the NASC, Australians reported losing $2.03 billion to scams in 2024 — a fall of nearly 26% from the prior year.
- Investment scams remained the costliest category, accounting for $945 million of reported losses.
- The fall in reported losses is attributed in part to expanded disruption activity by the National Anti-Scam Centre and industry cooperation.
- Despite the decline, the NASC notes that losses remain at historically high levels and that under-reporting means true losses are higher.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Australian scam losses fall in 2024?
The NASC attributes the decline partly to expanded disruption efforts — including faster takedowns of scam websites and phone numbers — and greater awareness among financial institutions. However, the NASC cautions that reported figures are not the whole picture.
Is the $2.03 billion figure just from Scamwatch?
No. The NASC Targeting Scams Report combines data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the AFCX, IDCARE, and ASIC. Using Scamwatch alone would give a lower figure. Always check which reporting channels are included when comparing years.
Why do scam figures vary so much between sources and years?
Differences in which agencies contribute data, changes in reporting awareness, and new scam types all affect year-on-year comparability. The NASC notes that even a combined $2 billion figure is likely a significant undercount of total losses.