- Scam
One report of automated robocall from 08 7184 3812 (0871843812) falsely claiming to be from Immigration, pressing 1 for English routed to Chinese speaker.
Government Impersonation Robocall from 08 7184 3812
A contributor has reported receiving an automated robocall from 08 7184 3812 (also written as 0871843812) that falsely claimed to represent Immigration. The robotic voice prompted the recipient to press 1 for English, but when the contributor complied, they were connected to a Chinese-speaking operator instead of English-language support. The contributor hung up immediately, recognising the call as suspicious.
This pattern is characteristic of impersonation scams that exploit confusion around language barriers and government authority. The mismatch between promised English service and actual connection suggests deliberate manipulation designed to catch callers off-guard or extract information during the confusion.
What the Caller from 08 7184 3812 Did
The robocall from 0871843812 used an automated voice claiming government authority (Immigration). After the initial prompt, a live operator answered in Chinese rather than English, creating an intentional disconnect from what the contributor was offered. This bait-and-switch approach is commonly used to confuse targets or to isolate them from assistance before making demands or requests.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 08 7184 3812
If 08 7184 3812 calls you:
- Do not: Press any numbers, stay on the line, or provide personal information such as passport details, visa status, or financial data
- Do: Hang up immediately when you hear a robotic voice or unexpected language
- Do: Block the number 0871843812 in your phone settings
- Do: Verify any genuine government communication by calling the official department directly using a number from their website
- Do: Be aware that legitimate Immigration enquiries will not require you to navigate automated language prompts before reaching support
Why This Call Is Dangerous
Government impersonation scams exploit the legitimacy of official institutions to build false trust. The use of a robocall removes any human accountability in the initial pitch, and the language mismatch appears designed to confuse or disorient the recipient. Callers may escalate to demanding personal identification information, claiming visa complications, or threatening legal action if you don't comply.
How to Report 08 7184 3812
Report this number and your experience through these official Australian channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): File a complaint at acma.gov.au for illegal robocalls and impersonation
- Scamwatch: Report the call details at scamwatch.gov.au to build community awareness
- ReportCyber: If you believe credential theft was attempted, report at cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience to help other Australians identify calls from 08 7184 3812
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 7184 3812!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Robo voice claiming to be from Immigration, pressed 1 for English but got a Chinese speaker instead, hung up
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 7184 3812!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Should I press any numbers if I receive a call from 08 7184 3812?
No. Do not press any numbers if 0871843812 calls you. Pressing keys during a robocall can confirm your number is active, leading to more calls. Hang up immediately when you hear an automated voice claiming to be from government.
What should I do if I already pressed 1 on the call from 08 7184 3812?
Hang up immediately and block 0871843812 in your phone settings. You did not share any personal information, which is the key concern. Monitor your phone for additional calls from this number and report it to ACMA and Scamwatch.
Why would a call from 08 7184 3812 switch to a Chinese-speaking operator?
The language mismatch reported on 0871843812 appears intentional. Scammers use confusion to keep you engaged, disorient you, or lower your guard before making demands. Legitimate government calls will not work this way.
Is 08 7184 3812 a real government number?
No. Robocalls claiming to be from Immigration but routing through unexpected operators are scams. If you need to contact real Immigration services, use the official number on the Department of Home Affairs website rather than responding to unexpected calls from 08 7184 3812.
What personal information might the caller from 0871843812 ask for?
Based on the impersonation tactic, callers claiming to represent Immigration would likely ask for visa details, passport numbers, date of birth, or financial information. Never provide this on unsolicited calls from 08 7184 3812.
Where can I report the robocall from 08 7184 3812?
Report to ACMA at acma.gov.au for illegal robocalls, Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au for the impersonation scam, and contribute your report on Reverseau to warn other Australians about 0871843812.