- Spam
- Scam
Community reports for 08 5116 6557 (0851166557): Robotic voice impersonating immigration bureau, targeting overseas-born Australians with repeated calls claiming prior contact attempts.
Immigration Impersonation Reports for 08 5116 6557
Two contributors have reported calls from 08 5116 6557 (also written as 0851166557) involving impersonation of Australian immigration authorities. The calls use a robotic recorded voice claiming to be from "the immigration" bureau. One contributor's friend received the call despite being a confirmed Australian citizen, suggesting the callers are using broad targeting rather than verified information.
The voicemail message indicates a pattern of repeated contact attempts, with the recorded message claiming previous calls had already been made. This persistence combined with the impersonation tactic suggests an attempt to create urgency and legitimacy, hoping recipients will believe they've missed official communications.
What Callers from 08 5116 6557 Say
The robotic message from 0851166557 opens with "hi this is the immigration", immediately impersonating a government agency. The voicemail message adds pressure by stating "they'd rung loads of times", a common scam tactic designed to make victims believe they're ignoring legitimate repeated warnings from authorities.
Contributors noted the call was clearly "targeting people from overseas", indicating the scammers may be using nationality or origin as a selection criterion. This targeting approach is typical of immigration-themed scams that exploit concerns about visa status, citizenship verification, or compliance with immigration law.
Call Patterns and Timing
One report arrived via voicemail, suggesting the caller reached an answering service rather than connecting live. The other contributor's friend answered directly and heard the robotic voice. The use of recorded messages for 08 5116 6557 reduces interaction but increases the volume of calls the scammer can make.
Both reports mention the persistence of calls - the voicemail explicitly references multiple prior contact attempts ("rung loads of times"). This pattern of repeated calling is designed to wear down resistance and create false legitimacy through frequency.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 08 5116 6557
If 08 5116 6557 calls you:
- Do not: Engage with the recorded message, press any keys to speak to someone, or stay on the line
- Do not: Provide any personal information, visa details, passport numbers, or citizenship status
- Do not: Return the call or acknowledge the message
- Do: Hang up immediately when you recognise the impersonation
- Do: Block 0851166557 in your phone settings to prevent future calls
- Do: Verify any immigration matter directly by contacting the Department of Home Affairs official phone line or visiting their website (homeaffairs.gov.au) - never use contact details provided by an incoming caller
What to Do If You Receive a Voicemail from 08 5116 6557
If you have a voicemail message from 0851166557:
- Do not: Return the call or follow any instructions in the message
- Do not: assume the message is legitimate because it reached your voicemail
- Do: Delete the message after noting the number
- Do: Report it immediately to the ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au)
- Do: If you're concerned about your actual immigration status, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using contact details you find yourself on their official website
How to Report 08 5116 6557
If you receive calls from 08 5116 6557, report the number through these Australian government channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the robocall at acma.gov.au - ACMA tracks scam calls and can take enforcement action
- Scamwatch: Lodge a detailed report at scamwatch.gov.au describing what the caller claimed and when the call occurred
- Do Not Call Register: Register your number at donotcall.gov.au to reduce unwanted marketing calls (note: scammers often ignore this register, but reporting helps authorities track violations)
- Department of Home Affairs: If you're concerned about your immigration status after receiving this call, contact homeaffairs.gov.au to verify your case - the department can confirm whether they've actually been trying to reach you
- Reverseau: Add your own report to this number's community intelligence to help other Australians identify the scam
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 5116 6557!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
They called my friend with a robotic voice and said "hi this is the immigration". My friend is DEFIENTLY a australian citizen. Do not answer calls from this number.
Voicemail about immigration bureau, said they'd rung loads of times, clearly targeting people from overseas
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 5116 6557!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 08 5116 6557 a real immigration bureau number?
No. The Department of Home Affairs does not initiate contact about immigration matters through robocalls with recorded messages. If you're concerned about your visa or citizenship status, contact homeaffairs.gov.au directly or call their official number (not one from an incoming caller). Do not trust contact details provided during a call from 0851166557.
Why would a scammer targeting overseas-born Australians call 08 5116 6557?
Immigration impersonation scams exploit anxiety about visa compliance, citizenship status, and legal standing in Australia. Contributors noted 0851166557 specifically targets people from overseas, assuming they may be more concerned about immigration matters and less familiar with official Australian government contact procedures. Australian citizens and permanent residents are also targeted because scammers hope confusion or language barriers will increase success rates.
What should I do if I already pressed keys or provided information to 0851166557?
If you interacted with the call from 08 5116 6557 and provided any personal details: immediately report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), monitor your email and mail for fraudulent applications or claims, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly to verify your immigration status is unchanged, and consider placing a fraud alert with relevant financial institutions if you shared banking details.
Why does the voicemail from 08 5116 6557 claim to have called before?
This is a common scam tactic. By claiming prior contact ("rung loads of times"), the scammer creates false legitimacy and urgency - making you believe you've been ignoring important official warnings. The voicemail from 0851166557 is designed to pressure you into returning the call or engaging with the next attempt. The number likely has not actually called you before; this is a manipulation technique.
Can I report 08 5116 6557 to stop the calls?
Yes. Report 0851166557 to ACMA (acma.gov.au) for the robocall violation and to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) for the scam impersonation. These reports help authorities track patterns and take action against the scammer. Block the number in your phone settings to prevent future calls reaching you. For future robocalls, you can also report them to the Do Not Call Register (donotcall.gov.au), though scammers often ignore this register.
What's the difference between the calls and voicemail from 08 5116 6557?
One contributor's friend answered a live call from 0851166557 and heard a robotic voice greeting ("hi this is the immigration"). Another contributor received a voicemail message that mentioned repeated prior calls. Both are the same scam using different contact methods - the robocall reaches voicemail if no one answers, and the recorded message adjusts its script depending on whether you pick up. Do not engage with either version of the call from 08 5116 6557.