- Scam
- Spam
Community reports for 0423 532 357 (0423532357): Wangiri callback lure and fake Wuhan Police impersonation demanding wire transfers.
Wangiri and International Impersonation Reports for 0423 532 357
Two contributors have reported suspicious activity from 0423 532 357 (also written as 0423532357), pointing to a coordinated scam pattern. One report describes a direct scam attempt involving impersonation of Chinese law enforcement, while the second indicates a Wangiri callback lure - a scheme where scammers make multiple missed calls to provoke return calls, often charging premium rates or initiating secondary scams.
The variety of tactics reported suggests this Optus mobile number may be used across multiple scam operations or passed between different criminal groups.
What Callers from 0423 532 357 Claimed
One contributor who answered a call from 0423 532 357 reported speaking with someone presenting as Wuhan Police. The caller alleged the recipient owed federal tax debt in China and demanded a wire transfer of 10 million CNY (Renminbi) to resolve the matter. The contributor noted the caller had a female voice with an Asian accent and made the demand with apparent urgency, though the request itself appeared implausible enough to prompt scepticism from the recipient.
The second report about 0423532357 involved no conversation - just five missed calls in quick succession, consistent with Wangiri methodology designed to trigger curiosity and prompt a return call.
Call Patterns and Behaviour
The two reports from 0423 532 357 reflect different attack vectors. The Wangiri attempt (five missed calls) occurred on 12 May 2026, while the direct impersonation scam call was answered on 18 May 2026. This spacing suggests either different campaigns using the same number or the same group testing multiple approaches.
Both contributors identified the suspicious nature of the calls quickly - one through the absurdity of the demand (wire transfer to clear Chinese tax debt from an Australian number) and the other through recognising the Wangiri pattern. Neither appears to have been financially compromised.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0423 532 357
If 0423 532 357 contacts you:
- Do not: Return missed calls from this number, answer if you don't recognise it, wire any money, or provide personal or financial details
- Do: Let calls go to voicemail, block the number immediately after the first suspicious call, and verify any claims independently using official government contact details
- Red flag awareness: No Australian government agency, Chinese authority, or financial institution will demand wire transfers via mobile phone calls to resolve debts. Any such demand is a scam
For Wangiri specifically, the strategy works only if you return the call. Do not call back numbers you don't recognise, even if they appear multiple times.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0423 532 357
If 0423 532 357 texts you:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, or call the number back
- Do: Block the number, delete the message, and report it as spam
- Report SMS scams: Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (ACMA spam reporting) with the original message content intact
How to Report 0423 532 357
If you've received calls or messages from 0423 532 357, report it through these channels:
- Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au): Report the scam attempt with details of what was claimed and any tactics used
- ACMA (acma.gov.au): Lodge a complaint about the mobile number for nuisance calling, callback lures, or suspected scam activity
- ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au): If financial loss occurred or personal data was compromised
- Reverseau: Add your report here to help other Australians identify this number and protect the community
Help others by sharing your experience with 0423 532 357!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Female Asian voice. Woman alleged that Wuhan Police were coming with an arrest warrant because of federal tax debt owed in China! Then brazenly demanded that I "wire transfer" 10 million CNY (Renminbi) to wipe off debt 🤣😂
Five missed calls, looks like a Wangiri setup
Help others by sharing your experience with 0423 532 357!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What is a Wangiri scam and why did I get five missed calls from 0423 532 357?
Wangiri is a callback lure scheme where scammers dial large numbers of people briefly, hanging up before you answer. They rely on curiosity to make you call back, often to premium-rate numbers that generate revenue for the scammers or trigger secondary scams. One contributor reported receiving five missed calls from 0423 532 357 fitting this exact pattern on 12 May 2026. Do not return calls to numbers you don't recognise, especially if they call multiple times in succession.
Can Wuhan Police or Chinese authorities actually contact me about tax debt via an Australian mobile number?
No. Chinese law enforcement has no authority to contact Australian residents directly via mobile phone, and they would never demand wire transfers. If you genuinely owed tax to China, the matter would be handled through official diplomatic channels and Australian authorities. The call from 0423 532 357 claiming to be Wuhan Police demanding 10 million CNY was a scam. Never wire money based on unsolicited phone calls.
I already called 0423 532 357 back after seeing missed calls. What should I do?
Block the number immediately and do not engage further. If you didn't provide any personal, financial, or banking information, your risk is low. If you did share details, monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity. Report the number to ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au). Contact your bank if you're concerned about account security. Reverseau contributors have flagged 0423532357 for both Wangiri and impersonation activity, so additional caution is warranted.
Why would a scammer claim to be from Wuhan Police if I have no connection to China?
Scammers using impersonation tactics from 0423 532 357 cast a wide net. They may not verify whether targets have actual ties to China - they're relying on fear and urgency to bypass rational thinking. The tactic also creates plausible deniability ("I didn't know which country you were in"). Legitimate authorities always verify identity through official channels, not via surprise mobile calls with threats.
Should I block 0423 532 357 or report it first?
Do both. Block the number immediately to stop further contact, then report it. Report to ACMA (acma.gov.au) for nuisance calling and suspected scam activity, and to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) with details of what was claimed. These reports help authorities track scam operations. You can also contribute your experience to Reverseau to warn other Australians about 0423532357.
Is this number really from Optus or spoofed?
0423 532 357 is allocated to Optus Mobile, but that doesn't mean the caller is legitimately Optus. Scammers frequently use VoIP or spoofing technology to mask their real identity and make calls appear to come from a legitimate Australian number like 0423532357. The actual scammers could be anywhere. Reporting to ACMA helps identify whether 0423 532 357 is genuinely compromised or used as a spoofing vector.