- Scam
One report of automated AFP impersonation call from 03 9753 9166 (0397539166). Robotic message threatened investigation, demanded action. Victoria, Telstra.
AFP Impersonation Robocall Reports for 03 9753 9166
A contributor has reported receiving an automated call from 03 9753 9166 (also written as 0397539166) impersonating the Australian Federal Police. The recorded message claimed a detective was investigating the recipient and demanded immediate action by pressing 1 to continue. This single report indicates a sophisticated social engineering attempt using law enforcement authority and manufactured urgency to manipulate the recipient into engaging with the scammer.
The use of a robotic voice and pre-recorded message suggests this scam may be distributed to multiple numbers across Australia. The threat of police investigation is a high-pressure tactic designed to trigger fear and bypass rational decision-making. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not contact citizens via robocalls or automated messages demanding button presses.
What the Automated Message from 03 9753 9166 Claims
The contributor reported that the robocall from 0397539166 specifically mentioned a detective investigating the recipient. The message prompted action by asking the recipient to press 1, likely to confirm the number was answered and active. This follow-up step would typically lead to either a live scammer attempting to extract personal information or payment details, or further manipulation tactics designed to seem official.
The impersonation of the Australian Federal Police is a serious fraud tactic. Real AFP inquiries do not occur via automated calls, and the agency never demands immediate action through keypad responses. The threat element combined with the robocall format is designed to overwhelm recipients into complying without verification.
Report Details and Context
The report about 03 9753 9166 came through as a call that was answered by the contributor. The number is allocated to a Telstra local service in Victoria. The fact that this is a recorded message rather than a live caller suggests the scammer is operating at scale, distributing pre-recorded threats to many numbers in the hope that some recipients will panic and press 1.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 9753 9166
If 03 9753 9166 calls you:
- Do not: Press any buttons, return the call, or provide any information
- Do: Hang up immediately and block the number on your phone
- Do: Contact the Australian Federal Police directly using the official number on their website (afp.gov.au) if you have concerns about a genuine investigation
- Do: Remember that legitimate law enforcement never contacts citizens via robocalls demanding button presses or immediate action
If the call originated from 0397539166 and caused you concern, contact the AFP directly through official channels rather than responding to the automated message. Verify any law enforcement contact independently by calling the agency's official number yourself.
How to Report 03 9753 9166
- Report the call to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au
- Report the scam attempt to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the message content
- File a report with the Australian Federal Police at afp.gov.au to alert them of the impersonation
- Report the number to your phone provider (Telstra in this case) so they can investigate the source
- If you have additional information about calls from 03 9753 9166, contribute your report on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this scam
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What Our Users Reviewed
Automated message claiming to be the Australian Federal Police, said a detective was investigating me and to press 1. Clear spam
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 03 9753 9166 really the Australian Federal Police calling me?
No. The Australian Federal Police do not contact citizens via automated robocalls. If you receive a call from 03 9753 9166 claiming to be the AFP, it is a scam. Legitimate law enforcement inquiries come through official channels with named officers and case numbers. If you believe you are under investigation, contact the AFP directly using the number on afp.gov.au rather than responding to the call.
What should I do if I already pressed 1 on the call from 0397539166?
Do not provide any personal information if a live caller comes on the line. Hang up immediately. The fact that you engaged with the scammer's prompt means your number is confirmed as active, so expect possible follow-up calls from 0397539166 or similar numbers. Block 03 9753 9166 on your phone and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. If you shared information, consider placing a fraud alert with your bank.
Why do scammers impersonate the AFP using numbers like 03 9753 9166?
The AFP is Australia's premier law enforcement agency, so impersonating them creates immediate fear and credibility. A threat from 03 9753 9166 claiming police involvement triggers panic, making recipients more likely to comply without thinking critically. The robocall format allows scammers to distribute the threat to hundreds or thousands of numbers at minimal cost, increasing the chance of reaching someone who will panic and press 1.
Is the number 0397539166 spoofed or is it a real Telstra number?
03 9753 9166 is allocated to Telstra as a real local service number in Victoria. However, scammers can spoof or manipulate how numbers appear on caller ID, so the actual source of the call may not be the number shown. The fact that a real number is being used does not make the call legitimate. Always verify law enforcement contact independently by calling official agencies directly.
What happens if I don't respond to the robocall from 03 9753 9166?
If you do not press 1 or engage with the robocall from 0397539166, the scammer gains less information. However, the call alone is a threat and indicates your number is active. Expect possible follow-up calls from 03 9753 9166 or similar numbers using different tactics. Block the number and ignore further attempts. Legitimate AFP inquiries will reach you through verifiable official channels.
How can I report the robocall from 03 9753 9166 to authorities?
Report the call from 0397539166 to ACMA (acma.gov.au), which regulates telecommunications in Australia. Also report the impersonation and fraud to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) so the threat is documented. Alert the Australian Federal Police to the misuse of their name at afp.gov.au. Additionally, contact your phone provider Telstra directly to report the fraudulent use of a number on their network. Contributing your report to Reverseau also helps other Australians recognise this scam.