- Suspicious
A contributor reports 02 3819 6502 (0238196502) claiming to be Australian Police, calling after scams with threats and offers to help with scam calls.
Police Impersonation Reports for 02 3819 6502
One contributor has reported receiving calls from 02 3819 6502 (also written as 0238196502) where the caller impersonated Australian Police. The caller contacted the recipient shortly after they had already fallen victim to a scam, then called again an hour later claiming to offer assistance with scam-related calls. This represents a classic follow-up scam targeting recent victims when they are most vulnerable and likely to trust authority figures.
The timing and targeting pattern suggests the caller had knowledge of the initial scam incident, which is typical of secondary exploitation where scammers capitalise on recent victims' distress and lowered defences. The impersonation of law enforcement is a serious escalation tactic designed to overcome natural scepticism.
What Callers from 02 3819 6502 Claim
According to the report, the caller from 02 3819 6502 presented themselves as representatives of Australian Police. They made contact immediately after the contributor had experienced a scam, then followed up with a second call claiming they could help protect against future scam calls. This dual-contact approach is designed to establish credibility through persistence and apparent concern for the victim's welfare.
The contributor noted that these calls from 0238196502 occurred on Thursday or Friday afternoons, which may indicate deliberate timing when people are more likely to be available and potentially less guarded as the working week winds down.
Report Patterns and Timing
The report indicates calls from 02 3819 6502 arriving on Thursday or Friday afternoons. The pattern of contact is notable: the first call came immediately after the contributor's initial scam experience, with a follow-up call within an hour. This rapid succession suggests the scammer had real-time knowledge of when the victim realised they'd been compromised, pointing to information sharing between scam networks or breach of victim data.
The NSW-based number (allocated to Symbio Networks) used for these impersonation attempts may give a false sense of legitimacy to recipients in New South Wales, as local numbers are often trusted more readily than interstate or international numbers.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 3819 6502
If 02 3819 6502 calls you claiming to be from Australian Police or any law enforcement agency:
- Do not: Provide any personal information, banking details, or passwords; confirm your identity over the phone; agree to any payments or transfers for "protection" or "investigation fees"; return the call to the number provided
- Do: Hang up immediately; verify the call independently by contacting Australian Police directly through the official non-emergency number (131 444) or your state police service's verified contact details; report the call to ACMA if you wish to lodge a formal complaint
- Be aware: Legitimate police will never call asking for money, banking information, or to arrange transfers; real law enforcement uses formal investigative processes, not urgent phone calls pressuring immediate action
How to Report 02 3819 6502
If you've received impersonation calls from 02 3819 6502 or similar scams:
- Report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) - include the caller's claims and any details about the original scam they reference
- Report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au for nuisance or illegal calls
- Contact your local state police non-emergency line (131 444) to report the impersonation attempt
- Report to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) if any online component or data breach was involved
- If you already sent money, report to your bank immediately and file a report with your state police service
- Help protect others by reporting 02 3819 6502 on Reverseau - community reports help identify patterns and protect more Australians from the same tactics
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 3819 6502!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Called saying they're Australian Police right after I got scammed, then called again an hour later claiming they can help with scam calls, happens on Thursday or Friday arvos
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 3819 6502!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Can Australian Police call me claiming to investigate scams?
No. Legitimate police investigations do not work this way. Australian Police will not call unsolicited claiming to help with previous scams or asking for money to "investigate" fraud. If you've been scammed, contact police directly on 131 444 and report to Scamwatch. Anyone claiming to be police calling from 02 3819 6502 or similar numbers offering scam protection is using impersonation as a scam tactic.
Why would a scammer call right after I've been scammed?
Scammers often target recent victims because they know the person is distressed, has money on their mind, and may be more trusting of authority figures offering help. The call from 02 3819 6502 in this case came within an hour of the initial scam, suggesting the caller either had access to scam victim data or was part of a coordinated network. This is secondary exploitation - capitalising on vulnerability.
Is 02 3819 6502 a real police number?
No. While 02 3819 6502 is formatted as a valid NSW local number, the caller falsely claimed to represent Australian Police. Legitimate police contact uses official numbers and processes, not random impersonation calls. Never assume a number is legitimate based on its format. Always verify by calling police directly on 131 444 or visiting your state police service's official website.
What should I do if 02 3819 6502 calls me?
Hang up immediately. Do not provide any information, confirm your identity, or discuss the call. If the caller claims to be police, you can independently verify by calling 131 444 or your state police non-emergency line. Report the number 02 3819 6502 to Scamwatch and ACMA. If you've already sent money to the original scammer, contact your bank and police immediately.
Why do scammers impersonate Australian Police?
Impersonation of authority figures like police creates an illusion of legitimacy and urgency that overcomes people's natural caution. Victims are more likely to comply with requests from someone they believe is law enforcement. By claiming to be from Australian Police, callers from 02 3819 6502 are exploiting trust in official institutions to manipulate recipients into providing information or money.
Should I report this to anyone besides ACMA?
Yes. Report 02 3819 6502 to multiple agencies: Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) for the scam details, ACMA (acma.gov.au) for the nuisance call, and your state police non-emergency line (131 444). If any data breach or cyber component was involved, also report to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au). Reporting to Reverseau also helps the community identify and avoid the same number and tactics.