- Suspicious
- Scam
- Spam
- Uncertain
02 3816 1729 (0238161729) reports automated scam calls impersonating immigration department with language selection prompts and urgent document signing demands.
Government Impersonation Robocall Reports for 02 3816 1729
Eight contributors have flagged 02 3816 1729 (also written as 0238161729) for suspicious automated calls. The most serious reports describe recorded voice messages claiming to be from the immigration department, stating urgent action was required and pressing callers to complete unspecified document signing. One contributor who answered confirmed the call came from 0238161729 and immediately recognised the impersonation as a scam.
Multiple reports about 02 3816 1729 indicate the calls use automated systems presenting language selection options in English and Chinese. Contributors describe these as suspicious automated prompts, with several noting the pattern matches known robocalling fraud tactics.
What Callers from 02 3816 1729 Say
The recorded message from 02 3816 1729 claims to be from the immigration department and states that previous contact attempts have been made. The caller presses recipients to take immediate action, specifically mentioning the need to sign a document. The specificity of the immigration department claim, combined with urgency language and demands for document signing, strongly suggests a sophisticated impersonation scam targeting Australians with visa or citizenship concerns.
Several contributors who received calls from 0238161729 reported encountering an automated voice asking to select a language by pressing buttons (English 1, Chinese 2). This multi-language setup suggests the campaign targets diverse immigrant communities in Australia. One contributor noted the supposed origin town mentioned in the call does not actually exist, indicating the spoofed caller ID information is unreliable.
Call Patterns and Timing
Reports for 02 3816 1729 span from mid-June through early July 2026, with activity clustering on specific dates. One contributor received repeated calls from 0238161729, noting the caller attempted contact multiple times. Several recipients did not answer and received no voicemail, while others heard the automated prompt or received voicemails in Chinese.
The call distribution shows a mix of answered calls, missed calls with no message, and voicemail messages. This pattern is consistent with bulk automated dialling campaigns that try multiple contact attempts and leave varied callback triggers. One contributor described a single ring before disconnection, a common tactic used by spam diallers to identify active phone numbers.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 3816 1729
If 02 3816 1729 calls you:
- Do not: Press any buttons, engage with the automated system, provide personal information, or return the call
- Do: Hang up immediately when you recognise the robocall or automated message, block the number on your phone, and avoid responding to any voicemail left behind
- Verify independently: If you have genuine immigration or visa concerns, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using the official phone number from their website, never using a number the caller provides
- Do not trust caller ID: The number showing on your phone may be spoofed, and any location or organisation name mentioned in the automated message should be verified separately
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 3816 1729
If you receive an SMS from 02 3816 1729 or 0238161729:
- Do not: Click any links, open attachments, or reply to the message
- Do: Delete the SMS, block the number, and report it as spam to your mobile provider
- Report immediately: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA spam reporting) by copying the message content and the sender number
How to Report 02 3816 1729
Report calls or SMS from 02 3816 1729 using these official Australian resources:
- Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au, providing details of what the caller claimed and how they contacted you
- ACMA: Lodge a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au to help track organised robocall campaigns
- Department of Home Affairs: Report the impersonation at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au if the scam specifically claimed to be from immigration services
- Reverseau: Add your experience with 0238161729 to the community reports here to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 3816 1729!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Single ring pattern, classic callback scam setup
Mate hit English and it hung up straight away, only seems to try the con if you speak Chinese
Keeps ringing, immigration con targeting folks who speak Mandarin
Got a ring from them too, definitely spam or scam
Said they were from a town we're not in, didn't answer, voicemail kicked in but nothing left
After picking up the call, a voice message said this is from "immigration department" and that they tried to call me multiple times, and that I urgently needed to sign a document, and to press 1 etc. So 100% certain it's a scam, I hung up.
Automated voice asking to select language - English 1, Chinese 2. Felt like a con
Didn't answer, no message left
The number supposedly came from a town that doesn't actually exist
Automated message asking me to press buttons for language options
Got a ring, didn't answer, hoping someone knows who it is
One ring, nothing left, typical spam dialler
Didn't answer, they left a message in Chinese
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 3816 1729!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why does 02 3816 1729 claim to be from the immigration department?
Scammers impersonate government agencies because they carry official credibility and urgency. Immigration-related scams specifically target people with visa concerns who may fear non-compliance with immigration rules. The call from 02 3816 1729 claiming urgent document signing exploits this anxiety to pressure quick action without verification.
Is it safe to press buttons on the robocall from 0238161729?
No. Pressing buttons on the automated system from 0238161729 confirms your number is active and monitored, potentially leading to more calls. It may also route you to a scammer posing as an immigration officer to collect personal details. Hang up immediately when you recognise the automated prompt from 02 3816 1729.
What should I do if I already engaged with the 02 3816 1729 scam?
If you provided personal information, bank details, or document copies to someone claiming to be from immigration via 0238161729, contact your bank immediately and monitor your accounts. Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA at acma.gov.au. Contact the Department of Home Affairs directly (not via the caller's details) if your visa or immigration status may be affected.
Why do I keep receiving calls from 02 3816 1729?
Multiple contributors have reported repeated calls from 0238161729, suggesting this is part of an automated bulk campaign. Once your number is added to the scammer's list, robodiallers often retry multiple times. Block 02 3816 1729 on your phone and report it to ACMA to help shut down the campaign.
Can I verify if this is really from the Department of Home Affairs?
The immigration department will never contact you via automated robocall asking for urgent document signing. If you have visa concerns, visit the official Department of Home Affairs website or call their verified phone number directly (not any number provided during a call from 0238161729). Never return calls to unknown numbers claiming government authority.
What does the language selection option mean on 02 3816 1729?
The language choice (English 1, Chinese 2) on automated calls from 0238161729 indicates a targeted campaign reaching immigrant communities in Australia. Scammers use multi-language setups to appear legitimate and to reach people who may be less familiar with Australian phone scams. This doesn't make the call legitimate - hang up regardless of which language option appears.