- Suspicious
One contributor reports a voicemail from 02 8271 2419 (0282712419) impersonating Australian Federal Police with claims of a detective sergeant attempting contact.
Australian Federal Police Impersonation Reports for 02 8271 2419
A contributor has reported receiving a suspicious voicemail from 02 8271 2419 (also written as 0282712419) claiming to be from the Australian Federal Police. The message stated: "Detective sergeant is attempting to contact you. Please press one to be contacted. This is the Australian Federal Police." The contributor flagged this as highly suspicious and noted that similar calls had been received from a related number originating in New Zealand.
This type of impersonation is a known social engineering tactic designed to create urgency and fear. Callers impersonating law enforcement attempt to manipulate recipients into pressing numbers or providing information by establishing false authority and implying legal consequences.
What Callers from 02 8271 2419 Say
The voicemail left by 0282712419 uses authority impersonation, specifically claiming to represent the Australian Federal Police with mention of a "Detective sergeant." The caller requests the recipient press a number to be contacted, which is a common technique to confirm active phone numbers and engage victims further in the scam process.
The fact that the contributor received similar calls from a New Zealand number suggests this may be part of a broader operation targeting Australian residents across multiple jurisdictions, though with contact points originating internationally.
Report Patterns and Characteristics
The single report about 02 8271 2419 came via voicemail, indicating the caller did not speak directly to the recipient. This method allows scammers to craft a complete message without interruption and to reach voicemail systems when people are unavailable, increasing the likelihood the message will be heard without immediate verification.
The Optus local service allocation for this number in NSW does not guarantee legitimacy, as scammers routinely spoof or use hijacked local numbers to appear more credible. Real Australian Federal Police will not request information via unsolicited calls or ask recipients to press numbers to be contacted.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8271 2419
If 02 8271 2419 calls you or leaves a voicemail:
- Do not: Press any numbers requested, return the call, or provide personal information
- Do: Hang up immediately and block the number
- Do verify: Contact the Australian Federal Police directly using the phone number on their official website (afp.gov.au) if you have concerns about a legitimate inquiry
- Do not rely on: The caller ID or number shown - scammers spoof legitimate numbers regularly
- Do save: The voicemail or recording if possible to report to authorities
How to Report 02 8271 2419
Report this number and similar impersonation attempts to the following Australian government resources:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - report the full details of the call, voicemail content, and time received
- Australian Federal Police: afp.gov.au - report impersonation of AFP specifically
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - report unwanted calls and suspected scam numbers
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - if you believe this is part of a coordinated scam operation
- Reverseau: If you receive calls from 02 8271 2419 or related numbers, contribute your report to help other Australians identify this threat
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8271 2419!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Unknown caller left a message "Detective sergeant is attempting to contact you. Please press one to be contacted. This is the Australian Federal Police"
Very suspicious.
Also had this caller on another number but via NZ.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8271 2419!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8271 2419 really the Australian Federal Police calling me?
No. The Australian Federal Police will not contact you via unsolicited calls asking you to press numbers or threatening legal action. If you receive a call from 02 8271 2419 claiming to be AFP, it is impersonation. Contact the AFP directly using the verified number on afp.gov.au to confirm any legitimate inquiry.
What does it mean if 0282712419 asks me to press 1 to speak to a detective?
Pressing any number confirms to scammers that your phone is active and monitored by a person, making you a high-value target for further scam attempts. The contributor who reported 02 8271 2419 noted this exact tactic in their voicemail. Do not press any numbers.
Why did I receive a call from 02 8271 2419 claiming to be from Australian Federal Police?
Scammers impersonate law enforcement because it creates immediate fear and urgency, making people more likely to comply with requests or provide information. The call from 0282712419 is designed to manipulate you into taking action. Real AFP inquiries go through proper legal channels, not unsolicited voicemail messages.
Should I call back the number that left the voicemail?
No. Do not call back 02 8271 2419 or any number claiming to be law enforcement. If you believe you need to respond to a legitimate AFP matter, contact the AFP directly through their official website or local police station.
Is it significant that similar calls came from a New Zealand number?
Yes. The contributor reporting 02 8271 2419 mentioned receiving similar calls from a NZ number, which suggests this scam operation may be using multiple international contact points to reach Australian targets. This pattern indicates a larger scam network rather than a one-off call.
What should I do with the voicemail from 0282712419?
Save the voicemail or recording and report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and the Australian Federal Police (afp.gov.au). Include the exact message, time received, and any follow-up attempts. Block 02 8271 2419 to prevent future contact attempts.