- Scam
02 3816 1790 (0238161790): One contributor reports robocall impersonating Immigration Bureau with automated menu prompts. Scam alert for NSW.
Immigration Bureau Impersonation Robocall for 02 3816 1790
A contributor has reported receiving a robocall from 02 3816 1790 (also written as 0238161790) impersonating Australia's Immigration Bureau. The call featured an automated recorded message with a prompt to press 1 for English, a common tactic used in scam robocalls designed to identify active numbers and trigger engagement from recipients.
The number is allocated to Symbio Networks in NSW, though this does not verify legitimacy - scammers frequently spoof local Australian numbers to appear credible. The use of a government agency name combined with an interactive menu system is a well-documented social engineering technique used to collect personal information or route victims to a live operator.
What the Robocall from 02 3816 1790 Presents
The recorded message claims to originate from the "Immigration Bureau" and immediately presents a language selection menu. This automated approach serves multiple scam purposes: it confirms the number is active and monitored by a person, it establishes apparent legitimacy through a government agency name, and it moves the call to a live operator stage where more detailed impersonation and manipulation can occur.
Contributors receiving robocalls from 0238161790 should recognise that legitimate government agencies do not initiate contact via unsolicited robocalls with interactive menus. Australia's Department of Home Affairs and legitimate immigration services contact people through official channels with proper notice, not through unexpected automated systems.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 3816 1790
If 02 3816 1790 calls you:
- Do not: Press any numbers in response to the menu, stay on the line, or provide any personal information
- Do not: Return the call or acknowledge that you answered
- Do: Hang up immediately when you recognise the robocall or automated message
- Do: Block the number in your phone settings to prevent future calls
- Do: Verify any immigration-related claims directly with the Department of Home Affairs using the official contact details from their website
How to Report 02 3816 1790
If you receive a scam robocall from 02 3816 1790 or 0238161790:
- Report to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au - they investigate illegal robocalls and scam number patterns
- Report the call to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the message and time
- Report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au if the call included attempts to obtain personal data
- Add the number to your phone's blocked list to prevent future contact
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 3816 1790!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Claims to be from the "Immigration Bureau" and request to click 1 for English etc.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 3816 1790!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 3816 1790 a real government number?
No. 02 3816 1790 (0238161790) is not an official government contact number. Australia's Department of Home Affairs does not initiate contact through unsolicited robocalls with automated menu systems. The contributor report indicates this is a scam using government impersonation. Legitimate immigration services contact people through official channels only.
What happens if I press 1 on the 02 3816 1790 robocall?
Pressing 1 in response to the menu from 02 3816 1790 confirms to scammers that your number is active and monitored. This typically routes you to a live operator who will attempt to gather personal information, financial details, or convince you to take harmful actions. Do not engage with the menu system at all - hang up instead.
Why do scammers use robocalls impersonating government agencies?
Robocalls from numbers like 0238161790 are cost-effective for scammers to deploy at scale. By impersonating trusted agencies like Immigration, they exploit recipient trust and urgency. The automated menu filters for engaged recipients, and the recorded message provides plausible deniability. Pressing keys creates engagement that leads to financial or identity theft.
Should I call back 02 3816 1790 to verify?
No. Do not call back 02 3816 1790 or 0238161790 under any circumstances. Calling back confirms your number is active and monitored, and may result in being contacted again by live scammers. If you have concerns about immigration matters, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using official contact details from their website, never using details provided in an unsolicited call.
Can I report this robocall to my phone provider?
Yes. You can report 02 3816 1790 to your phone provider (Symbio Networks or your carrier) to request filtering or blocking. However, government agencies like the ACMA have broader authority to investigate and take action against the scammers behind 0238161790. Report to acma.gov.au and scamwatch.gov.au for maximum impact.
What information might this scam be trying to collect?
Scammers using robocalls impersonating Immigration and claiming to be from 02 3816 1790 typically target personal information (name, date of birth), passport or visa details, financial account information, or payment methods. They may threaten visa cancellation or legal consequences to create urgency and bypass critical thinking. Never provide any details to unsolicited callers.