02 8359 0337 - 0283590337: Immigration Department Impersonation Scam

• Scam

02 8359 0337 (0283590337): Contributors report fake immigration department calls and SMS demanding payment or threatening deportation. Do not engage.

Immigration Department Impersonation Reports for 02 8359 0337

Three contributors have reported scam activity from 02 8359 0337 (also written as 0283590337), all involving fraudulent claims to be from the Australian Department of Immigration. The callers use automated recorded messages or robocalls to contact recipients, making urgent threats of deportation unless a fine is paid immediately. This is a classic impersonation scam targeting fear and time pressure to bypass victim caution.

The number is allocated to Symbio Networks in New South Wales and operates as a local service. All three reports describe essentially the same fraudulent scheme delivered across multiple channels - voicemail, SMS, and answered calls - suggesting a coordinated campaign rather than isolated incidents.

What Callers from 02 8359 0337 Claim

Contributors who received messages from 02 8359 0337 describe an automated or recorded message falsely claiming affiliation with Australia's Department of Immigration. The core message is consistent across reports: the recipient has supposedly violated immigration rules or incurred a fine, and must pay immediately or face deportation.

One contributor reported receiving a 'dodgy auto-message' that specifically mentioned facing deportation if payment was not made. Another received the same threat via SMS from 0283590337. The use of automation (pre-recorded messages, robocalls) is a red flag - legitimate government departments do not initiate contact through generic automated threats.

The urgency tactic is central to this scam's design. By creating panic about potential deportation, the scammers attempt to override rational decision-making and push recipients into immediate payment without verification.

Call and Message Patterns

The three reports for 02 8359 0337 span multiple contact channels within a 24-hour window (1-2 February 2026). Contributors received voicemail messages, SMS text messages, and direct answered calls - all delivering the same false immigration threat. This multi-channel approach suggests the scammers are using automated systems to maximise contact attempts.

The use of recorded or automated messages rather than live callers indicates this operation is running at scale, likely targeting many phone numbers simultaneously. Contributors should be aware that legitimate government agencies, including the Department of Immigration, will never threaten deportation via voicemail or SMS without prior written correspondence.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8359 0337

If 02 8359 0337 calls you:

• Do not: Answer the call, return it, or engage with any message
• Do not: Provide personal details, passport information, or payment details
• Do not: Click any links or download files from messages
• Do: Let the call go to voicemail and do not listen to threatening messages
• Do: Block 0283590337 immediately in your phone settings
• Do: Verify any genuine immigration matter by contacting the Department of Home Affairs directly using the official phone number on their website, never numbers provided by callers

Remember: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (which handles immigration) will always contact you in writing first via official channels. They do not threaten deportation via automated calls or SMS, and they never demand immediate payment without formal documentation.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 8359 0337

If you receive an SMS from 02 8359 0337 or 0283590337:

• Do not: Click any links in the message
• Do not: Reply to the message
• Do not: Call any number mentioned in the SMS
• Do: Delete the message immediately
• Do: Block the number in your phone settings
• Do: Report the SMS as spam by forwarding it to 0429 999 888 (ACMA spam reporting)

How to Report 02 8359 0337

If you receive scam calls or SMS from 02 8359 0337, report the activity to Australian authorities:

• Report to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the scam call or SMS at acma.gov.au. ACMA tracks illegal robocalls and spam campaigns.
• Report to Scamwatch: Document your experience at scamwatch.gov.au, the Australian government's official scam reporting service. Scamwatch publishes alerts about active scams, helping other Australians recognise threats.
• Report to Reverseau: Contribute your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify and avoid this number. Community reports like yours help build a real-time database of scam numbers.
• Contact the Department of Home Affairs: If you're concerned about your actual immigration status, contact the official Department of Home Affairs through their website or the phone number listed there - never use numbers from scam messages.

Frequently Asked Questions