- Suspicious
02 7254 9181 (0272549181): One report of a robocall claiming to be from immigration, asking callers to press 1 if Chinese before hanging up.
Immigration Impersonation Robocall from 02 7254 9181
A contributor has reported receiving a robocall from 02 7254 9181 (also written as 0272549181) impersonating an immigration authority. The caller made a vague claim related to immigration matters, then instructed the recipient to press 1 if Chinese before abruptly disconnecting. This pattern of asking callers to confirm demographic information is a known tactic used to identify targets for follow-up scams or to harvest data about who answered.
The number is allocated as a local service through Symbio Networks in New South Wales, but this does not verify legitimacy. Scammers frequently spoof or misuse legitimate service provider numbers to appear credible.
What the Caller from 02 7254 9181 Did
The robocall from 0272549181 was automated or pre-recorded, using a generic immigration-related premise without explaining any actual issue or reason for contact. The caller then prompted recipients to respond with demographic information (pressing 1 for a specific ethnicity), which is highly suspicious. Legitimate immigration authorities do not conduct initial contact via automated calls asking people to self-identify by ethnicity, nor do they hang up immediately after.
This type of interaction suggests the call was testing whether the number was active and whether the recipient would engage, potentially qualifying them as a responsive target for future scam attempts.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 7254 9181
If 02 7254 9181 calls you:
- Do not: Press any key or respond to prompts, answer unknown numbers, return the call, or provide any personal information
- Do: Let it go to voicemail, hang up immediately if you answer, block the number, and report it to relevant authorities
- Verify independently: If you have genuine immigration matters pending, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using the official phone number on their website, never based on an unsolicited call
How to Report 02 7254 9181
If you received this robocall, report it to help protect other Australians:
- Report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au - they investigate calls impersonating government agencies
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of when you received the call and what was said
- Add your report to Reverseau to help contributors in your area recognise this number
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What Our Users Reviewed
Claimed to be from immigration, something about pressing 1 if Chinese, hung up
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would a scammer claim to be from immigration and ask me to press 1 if Chinese?
This is a targeting and validation tactic. Scammers use broad robocalls to identify which numbers have active, responsive people. By asking for demographic information, they segment their contact lists and may specifically target certain ethnic communities based on research showing higher fall-for-scam rates for immigration-related schemes. The immediate hang-up suggests this was a test call, not a full scam pitch. Receiving a call from 02 7254 9181 like this means your number has been flagged as active.
Could 02 7254 9181 actually be from immigration?
No. Legitimate government agencies like the Department of Home Affairs do not conduct initial contact via automated robocalls asking people to press keys based on ethnicity. They send formal written correspondence or contact you via official channels after you've initiated contact with them. A robocall from 0272549181 that hangs up immediately is a clear sign of a scam operation, not a genuine government agency.
Should I press 1 if I receive another call from 0272549181?
No. Do not engage with any prompt from 02 7254 9181. Pressing any key confirms to the scammer that your number is actively monitored by a real person, making you a higher-priority target for follow-up scams. Hang up immediately and block the number.
Is this number still actively calling people?
Based on the single report received for 0272549181, there is limited visibility into current activity. However, robocalls often continue for weeks or months. If you receive a call from 02 7254 9181, block it and report it immediately. The more people who report this number, the faster ACMA and Scamwatch can take action.
What should I do if a scammer calls back after I hang up on 02 7254 9181?
If 0272549181 or related numbers call again, do not answer. Let them go to voicemail, block all numbers, and file a report with ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au). If the scammer escalates to threats or mentions specific personal information, report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au as well.
Can I get a refund if I accidentally gave information to the caller from 02 7254 9181?
If you provided financial information, bank details, or identification data to 0272549181, contact your bank and financial institutions immediately to freeze accounts and monitor for fraud. Report the incident to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and consider placing a fraud alert with the Australian Credit Office. Do not expect to recover money paid to scammers, but early action can prevent further unauthorised transactions.