- Scam
Community reports for 02 9959 0597 (0299590597): Callers impersonate Australian Federal Police cybercrime unit to extract personal information. Threat-based tactics used.
AFP Impersonation Reports for 02 9959 0597
Two contributors have reported scam calls from 02 9959 0597 (also written as 0299590597) involving impersonation of the Australian Federal Police. The callers falsely claimed authority to investigate alleged criminal activity, using official-sounding titles and departmental references to build credibility and pressure recipients into revealing personal information.
Both reports about 0299590597 describe callers who identified themselves as law enforcement officials, with one specifically naming "Marcus from the federal cops cybercrime unit." This level of specificity - using a personal name alongside an official agency - is a common tactic in government impersonation scams designed to make the call appear legitimate.
What Callers from 02 9959 0597 Claim
Contributors who answered calls from 02 9959 0597 report callers claiming to be AFP officers investigating cybercrime operations. The callers attempted to extract personal information from recipients, leveraging the authority and credibility associated with federal law enforcement.
One report notes the caller used a specific name ("Marcus") and referenced the cybercrime unit, making the impersonation appear more authentic. This personalisation tactic makes recipients more likely to comply with requests for sensitive data. The caller's stated purpose - claiming to investigate "some operation" - remained vague enough to apply pressure without committing to specifics that could be easily disproven.
Report Patterns and Timing
Both reports for 0299590597 came through answered calls rather than voicemails, indicating the scammer succeeded in establishing contact and conversation. One call occurred on 18 October 2026 around midday (12:59 PM), while the second came through on 20 October 2026 in the early morning (06:04 AM), suggesting the operation uses varied calling times to reach different recipient groups.
The Telstra local-service number allocated to NSW suggests the caller is using local numbering to appear geographically relevant and trustworthy to NSW-based recipients.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9959 0597
If 02 9959 0597 calls you claiming to be from the AFP or another government agency:
- Do not: Answer questions, confirm personal details, provide banking or identity information, or agree to remote access to your devices
- Do: Hang up immediately, independently verify the caller by phoning the official AFP number (131 AFP or 13123237), and report the call to ACMA
- Do not: Return the call to the number that contacted you - scammers may answer as if they are the legitimate agency
- Do: Contact the real agency directly using contact details from their official website or a trusted source, never using details provided by the caller
How to Report 02 9959 0597
If you receive a scam call from 02 9959 0597, report it through these official Australian channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the number at acma.gov.au - they investigate unlawful telemarketing and scam calls
- Scamwatch: Lodge a detailed report at scamwatch.gov.au, including the caller's claims, timing, and any personal information you may have disclosed
- Australian Federal Police: Report government impersonation scams at cyber.gov.au or contact your local AFP office
- Reverseau: Share your experience with 0299590597 to help other Australians identify this number and protect themselves from the same scam
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9959 0597!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Claims to be AFP, trying to get info. FAKE.
Bloke claimed to be Marcus from the federal cops cybercrime unit investigating some operation
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9959 0597!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would someone impersonate the AFP by calling 02 9959 0597?
AFP impersonation is a high-trust scam tactic. Callers use the authority and credibility of law enforcement to pressure people into revealing sensitive information they would normally protect. By claiming to investigate cybercrime, the scammer creates urgency and fear, making recipients more likely to comply. The use of a specific name like "Marcus" and reference to the cybercrime unit makes the call from 0299590597 sound more credible and official.
What personal information might a scammer ask for when calling from 0299590597?
Based on reports about 02 9959 0597, callers attempt to extract personal information without being specific about what they need initially. They may ask for your full name, address, date of birth, banking details, or government ID numbers. Once the scammer has this information linked to you from 0299590597, it can be used for identity theft, fraud, or sold to other criminals. Never provide this information to unsolicited callers, even if they claim to be law enforcement.
How can I verify if a call from 02 9959 0597 is really from the AFP?
The AFP will never call you to investigate cybercrime and demand personal information. If someone calls claiming to be from the AFP about 0299590597 or any other number, end the call and phone the real AFP on 13123237 (131 AFP) using the official number - not any number provided by the caller. Real law enforcement agencies contact people through formal channels, not surprise phone calls demanding information. The Telstra local-service number 02 9959 0597 does not guarantee legitimacy.
What should I do if I already provided information during a call from 0299590597?
If you shared personal details with a caller from 02 9959 0597 claiming to be AFP, contact your bank immediately to alert them of potential fraud. If you disclosed your tax file number, date of birth, or driver's licence details, contact the relevant government agency directly. Place a fraud alert with credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, Illion) to monitor for identity theft. Report the call to ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with as many details as you remember about the 0299590597 call.
Can I block 02 9959 0597 on my phone?
Yes. Most Australian mobile phones and home services allow you to block specific numbers. Add 02 9959 0597 to your blocked contacts list through your phone settings or your Telstra account (since this number is allocated to Telstra). Blocking 0299590597 prevents future calls from reaching you. However, scammers often use different numbers, so if you receive similar calls from other numbers claiming to be AFP, report those numbers to ACMA and add them to your block list as well.
Are other people being called from 02 9959 0597 or is it just me?
Multiple contributors have reported receiving scam calls from 02 9959 0597 using the same AFP impersonation tactic, suggesting this is an active operation targeting several people. The reports came within two days of each other (18-20 October 2026), indicating coordinated calling activity. The variation in call times (early morning and midday) suggests the scammers are using a systematic approach to reach different people. If you receive a call from 0299590597, you are not alone, and reporting it helps other Australians stay safe.