- Scam
02 8190 1655 (0281901655): Contributor reports robocall voicemail impersonating Australian Federal Police claiming active investigation.
AFP Impersonation Robocall Reports for 02 8190 1655
A contributor has reported receiving a voicemail from 02 8190 1655 (also written as 0281901655) claiming to be from the Australian Federal Police. The recorded message referenced an active investigation and instructed the recipient to press one, a common tactic used in scam robocalls to identify active phone numbers and route victims to fraudsters posing as law enforcement.
This type of impersonation call is particularly concerning because it exploits the authority and legitimacy of Australian Federal Police to create urgency and fear. The robocall format allows scammers to deliver the same threatening message to thousands of numbers simultaneously, with minimal cost.
What the Robocall from 02 8190 1655 Claims
The voicemail from 0281901655 stated it was calling about an active investigation. This framing is designed to trigger panic and compliance. By claiming official law enforcement involvement, the caller attempts to bypass normal scepticism and encourage immediate action (pressing one) without verification.
Recipients who press one as instructed would likely be transferred to a live scammer impersonating a police officer, who would then demand payment, threaten arrest, or request personal information to "resolve" the fictitious investigation.
How This Scam Typically Proceeds
After a victim presses one in response to the 02 8190 1655 robocall, the next stage usually involves:
- A live caller claiming to be Australian Federal Police, often with a plausible badge or case number
- False claims linking the victim to financial crimes, money laundering, or identity theft
- Demands for immediate payment via iTunes cards, Google Play, or cryptocurrency
- Threats of arrest or legal consequences if the victim does not comply
- Instructions to keep the call secret from family, friends, or bank staff
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8190 1655
If 02 8190 1655 calls you:
- Do not: Press any numbers in response to prompts, call the number back, or provide any personal information
- Do not: Transfer money, purchase gift cards, or share banking details based on the caller's claims
- Do: Hang up immediately and do not engage with the voicemail message
- Do: Block the number 0281901655 on your phone to prevent future calls
- Do: Verify any claim of law enforcement involvement by contacting the Australian Federal Police directly using the phone number listed on their official website, never using contact details provided by the caller
- Do: Remember that legitimate police will not call demanding payment or threatening arrest over the phone without proper legal process
How to Report 02 8190 1655
Report this number and your experience to the following Australian government agencies:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - lodging a report helps protect other Australians and builds evidence against scam networks
- Australian Federal Police (Cybercrime): cyber.gov.au - report impersonation of AFP to the agency being impersonated
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - report the robocall and impersonation tactics
You can also contribute your experience directly to Reverseau to help other Australians identify and avoid calls from 02 8190 1655.
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Voicemail claiming to be Australian Federal Police about an active investigation, wanted me to press one
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8190 1655 actually the Australian Federal Police?
No. The Australian Federal Police will not contact you by robocall claiming an active investigation and demanding you press one. If you receive such a call from 0281901655, it is a scam. Legitimate law enforcement contacts citizens through formal channels and does not demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone.
What should I do if I already pressed one on a call from 02 8190 1655?
Do not provide any personal information, banking details, or payment if a live caller picks up after you press one. Hang up immediately. If you have already provided information to someone claiming to be police at 0281901655, contact your bank immediately and monitor your accounts. Report the call to Scamwatch and ACMA.
Why are robocalls from numbers like 02 8190 1655 so common?
Scammers use robocalls because they can reach thousands of numbers at minimal cost and quickly identify active phone numbers. The robocall from 02 8190 1655 impersonating police is designed to trigger fear and urgency, increasing the likelihood that victims will press one and comply with demands.
Can I block 0281901655 permanently?
Yes. You can block 02 8190 1655 on your mobile phone by adding it to your blocked contacts. However, scammers often use different numbers, so if you continue receiving similar robocalls impersonating police, report each number to ACMA and consider using your phone's spam filter settings.
What if the voicemail from 02 8190 1655 mentioned my name or personal details?
Scammers often use publicly available information or data from breaches to make their calls seem more legitimate. If 0281901655 mentioned personal details, this does not mean the call is genuine. Contact the Australian Federal Police directly using the number on their official website to verify whether any investigation involves you.
How can I report this robocall to authorities?
Report 02 8190 1655 to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and the Australian Federal Police cybercrime unit (cyber.gov.au). Provide the date and time you received the call from 0281901655, details of what the voicemail said, and whether you pressed one. Each report helps authorities identify and shut down scam operations.