04 3801 6983 - 0438016983: Message Redirection & Callback Scam

• Spam
• Suspicious
• Uncertain
• Scam
• Legit

Community reports for 04 3801 6983 (0438016983): 12 reports of suspicious SMS and calls requesting message relay to unknown contacts with callback numbers.

Message Redirection Reports for 04 3801 6983

Twelve contributors have reported suspicious activity from 04 3801 6983 (also written as 0438016983), with a consistent pattern emerging: callers and text messages ask recipients to relay messages to people they don't know or to contact third parties on specific phone numbers. This Telstra mobile number appears designed to manipulate recipients into becoming intermediaries for what contributors suspect are scam operations.

The reports span nearly three years, suggesting persistent and systematic misuse of 0438016983. Contributors describe receiving both SMS and voice calls requesting they contact named individuals (Elie, Arlene, Ross, Bert, and others) on unfamiliar numbers, often including phone numbers in the messages. The phrasing in these messages appears deliberately vague about the purpose of contact, raising red flags for contributors who recognise this as a common scam tactic.

What Callers from 04 3801 6983 Claim and How They Operate

Messages from 04 3801 6983 follow a recognisable formula: they reference names the recipient may or may not know, introduce an unknown third party, and request immediate contact with a provided number. One contributor received a call from someone claiming to be Nicole asking them to ring another number about someone named Navraj, with no explanation provided. Another report describes an SMS stating 'Hi Rakesh, could you give Arlene a ring on 08 6214 2210 about Ritesh' - a message that uses the recipient's correct name to establish false credibility.

Several reports about 0438016983 mention callers already knowing the recipient's name when they first contact, which contributors note is suspicious. One contributor reported that 04 3801 6983 sent a text claiming to be from someone named Jay, asking to speak with Jessica - attempting to use the message format as if the recipient were a known contact or family member able to relay information.

The callback numbers provided in these messages vary, but contributors report they include Perth-based landlines (08 6214 numbers appearing multiple times across different reports). The repetition of this pattern suggests systematic testing to see which recipients will comply with the redirection request.

Report Patterns and Timing

Community reports for 04 3801 6983 show activity across multiple years, with recent escalation. One contributor reported receiving the same misdirected SMS twice within a week in early February 2026, indicating active use of this number. Another contributor noted repeated calls and texts to the same person asking them to deliver messages to Robert, describing persistent follow-up attempts.

The majority of contacts come via SMS, though several contributors report answering calls from 04 3801 6983 directly. One contributor described a pattern of missed call followed by SMS redirection request - a technique designed to prompt return contact. Reports categorised as 'scam' or 'suspicious' consistently mention the callback request tactic, while reports labelled 'uncertain' often describe vague messages where the purpose remains unclear.

Contributors report blocking this number and the associated callback numbers after receiving these messages. One contributor explicitly stated they recognised the approach as suspicious before engaging, while others only realised the pattern after multiple contacts or comparison with similar reports.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 04 3801 6983

If 04 3801 6983 calls you:

• Do not: Return any call or contact the numbers mentioned in the message, answer if you don't recognise the number, or provide personal information
• Do: Let unknown calls go to voicemail, block 04 3801 6983 immediately after receiving contact, and verify any legitimate requests through official channels using numbers you find independently
• Be aware: The caller may use your correct name to establish credibility - this does not mean the call is legitimate

These callers rely on recipients complying with the redirection request without questioning it. By refusing to relay messages or contact provided numbers, you prevent the scammer from using you as an intermediary.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 3801 6983

If 0438016983 sends you a text message:

• Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, call any numbers included in the SMS, or share the message with others (this spreads the scam)
• Do: Take a screenshot of the full message and number for reporting purposes, delete the message after recording details, block 04 3801 6983, and forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (Australian spam reporting service)
• Report it: Include the exact message text and any phone numbers mentioned in your report

SMS-based redirection scams often rely on the casual nature of text messaging to bypass suspicion. The vague nature of these messages - referencing names without context - is intentional.

How to Report 04 3801 6983

• Report to ACMA: Use the ACMA's complaint form at acma.gov.au to report unwanted calls and SMS from 0438016983. Include dates, times, message content, and any numbers you were asked to contact
• Report to Scamwatch: Lodge a report at scamwatch.gov.au describing the redirection attempt and any numbers mentioned in the messages
• Report via ReportCyber: If you suspect the number is being used as part of a broader scam operation, report at cyber.gov.au
• Contribute to Reverseau: Share your experience with 04 3801 6983 on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this pattern

Frequently Asked Questions