- Scam
03 8518 7449 (0385187449): One contributor reports automated robocall impersonating federal police with threat-based messaging. Mechanical voice, likely pre-recorded scam.
Police Impersonation Robocall from 03 8518 7449
A contributor has reported receiving an automated robocall from 03 8518 7449 (also written as 0385187449) claiming to be from federal police. The message was delivered via voicemail and used a mechanical, robotic voice typical of pre-recorded scam calls. The caller made threats, attempting to create urgency and fear to pressure the recipient into responding or complying with demands.
This type of impersonation scam targets Australian phone numbers by spoofing legitimate government authority. The use of automation on 0385187449 reduces the risk of immediate exposure, as the caller avoids live interaction where inconsistencies might be detected. Police and other government agencies do not contact citizens via unsolicited automated voicemail threats.
What the Automated Message from 03 8518 7449 Claimed
The contributor reported the voicemail from 03 8518 7449 identified itself as federal police and included threat-based language designed to prompt immediate callback or action. No specific dollar amount or legal claim was mentioned in the available report details, but the mechanical tone and threat framing are hallmarks of scam automation.
Legitimate Australian Federal Police and state police forces do not conduct initial contact via automated robocalls. They do not threaten arrest or legal action through voicemail without prior written notice or direct officer contact. The robotic delivery on 0385187449 is a cost-cutting measure used by scammers to distribute the same threatening message to thousands of phone numbers simultaneously.
Report Patterns and Timing
This single report of 03 8518 7449 was received via voicemail on 20 April 2026. The contributor did not specify the exact time of the call, but the fact it was left as a voicemail suggests it may have arrived outside business hours or when the recipient was unavailable to answer. Robocalls from 0385187449 using pre-recorded messages are often deployed in batches during evening or early morning hours to avoid immediate live interaction.
The allocation data shows 03 8518 7449 is a local service number in Victoria through AAPT Limited, a telecommunications provider. This context makes the federal police impersonation on 0385187449 more credible to recipients who may recognise the Victorian area code, increasing the likelihood they will engage with the threat.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 8518 7449
If 03 8518 7449 or 0385187449 calls you:
- Do not: Call the number back, follow any instructions in the voicemail, or provide personal or financial information
- Do not: Assume the caller is legitimate because it claims police authority or uses a formal tone
- Do: Hang up immediately if you answer live, or delete the voicemail without returning the call
- Do: Contact the police directly using the non-emergency line (131 444 in Victoria) or the official police website to verify whether they initiated contact
- Do: Block 03 8518 7449 on your phone to prevent future calls from this number
- Do: Be aware that legitimate government agencies will never threaten immediate arrest via unsolicited automated robocall
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 03 8518 7449
If you receive an SMS from 03 8518 7449 or 0385187449:
- Do not: Click any links in the message or reply to the SMS
- Do not: Download any attachments or software referenced in the text
- Do: Report the message as spam by forwarding it to 0429 999 888 (ACMA Spam Report)
- Do: Block the number immediately in your phone's contacts
- Do: Delete the message after reporting
How to Report 03 8518 7449
If you have received a call or message from 03 8518 7449 (0385187449), report it through these official Australian channels:
- Scamwatch - Australian Consumer and Competition Commission fraud reporting: scamwatch.gov.au
- ACMA - Australian Communications and Media Authority for spam and scam calls: acma.gov.au
- Victoria Police - Report impersonation of police: 131 444 (non-emergency) or online at police.vic.gov.au
- ReportCyber - Australian Cyber Security Centre for online scam reports: cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau - Contribute your community report on 03 8518 7449 to help other Australians identify this number
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What Our Users Reviewed
Automated message claiming it's the federal cops, totally fake and mechanical
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 03 8518 7449 really the police calling me?
No. Legitimate Australian Federal Police and state police do not contact citizens via unsolicited automated robocalls threatening immediate action. If 03 8518 7449 claims to be police and uses a mechanical or robotic voice, it is a scam. Always hang up and contact your local police station directly using 131 444 (Victoria) to verify any claimed police contact. The report about 0385187449 confirms this is a known impersonation robocall.
What should I do if I already called 03 8518 7449 back?
If you called 0385187449 back and heard an automated message, do not engage further. Do not provide any personal, financial, or identity information. Hang up immediately and block the number. If you shared sensitive information like bank details, date of birth, or identification number, contact your bank and relevant government agencies immediately. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Consider placing a fraud alert with the Australian Federal Police at cyber.gov.au.
Why would a scammer impersonate police on 0385187449?
Scammers impersonate police because it creates immediate fear and urgency. Citizens are more likely to comply quickly with perceived legal authority, making them less likely to question demands or verify authenticity. The robocall from 03 8518 7449 uses automation to distribute the same threatening message to thousands of phone numbers cheaply. Once you respond, scammers attempt to extract money, personal information, or access to your accounts under the guise of resolving a fake legal issue.
Can I trace who is really behind the 03 8518 7449 number?
The number 03 8518 7449 (0385187449) is allocated as a local service in Victoria through AAPT Limited, but scammers frequently spoof legitimate phone numbers using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This means the actual caller location and identity are hidden. You cannot reliably trace the real source yourself. Report 03 8518 7449 to ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), which have tools to investigate spoofed numbers and patterns across multiple reports.
Should I block 03 8518 7449 on my phone?
Yes, block 0385187449 immediately. However, be aware that scammers using robocalls often change phone numbers frequently or spoof different numbers each time they call. Blocking 03 8518 7449 stops this specific number, but you may receive similar calls from other numbers. Report every suspicious call to Scamwatch and ACMA, and consider enabling 'Filter Unknown Senders' or similar features on your phone to reduce exposure to unsolicited calls.
What is the difference between 03 8518 7449 and 0385187449?
03 8518 7449 and 0385187449 are the same phone number written in different formats. The first format (03 8518 7449) is the standard Australian display format with spaces and area code in parentheses, while 0385187449 is the canonical format without spaces. Both formats refer to the same number and should be blocked and reported identically on 03 8518 7449 or 0385187449.