- Scam
08 9722 2111 (0897222111): Contributors report fake AFP/federal police calls demanding money, spoofing local police numbers with threats of arrest.
AFP Impersonation Scam Reports for 08 9722 2111
Three contributors have reported calls from 08 9722 2111 (also written as 0897222111) impersonating Australian Federal Police officers. The scam follows a consistent pattern: callers claim affiliation with federal law enforcement, allege criminal activity involving the recipient's identity, and demand immediate payment to resolve the fabricated issue.
All three reports about 0897222111 involve callers spoofing official police contact details to create false legitimacy. One contributor noted the caller claimed someone had been arrested using their personal details. Another report describes pressure tactics designed to bypass rational thinking through threats of legal consequences. The consistent use of impersonation and financial demands across these 08 9722 2111 reports indicates a coordinated scam operation.
What Callers from 08 9722 2111 Claim
Contributors receiving calls from 08 9722 2111 report specific false scenarios designed to trigger fear and urgency. One caller claimed to be an AFP cybercrime officer and requested personal details, though the contributor noted the caller's poor English proficiency and inability to provide any substantive proof of identity or authority.
A second call from 0897222111 alleged that someone had been arrested using the recipient's identity details, creating panic to bypass verification thinking. The caller also spoofed a local police station number to enhance credibility.
The third report about 08 9722 2111 describes straightforward extortion: callers impersonating police, applying intimidation pressure, and explicitly demanding money transfers. No legitimate reason for payment was offered across these reports, only threats.
How Contributors Recognised the 08 9722 2111 Scam
Despite sophisticated spoofing of police numbers, contributors identified 0897222111 as fraudulent through several red flags. One contributor, familiar with actual police interactions, immediately recognised that legitimate AFP officers would never speak with such poor English or inability to verify basic facts. Professional conduct and proper identification are standard for genuine law enforcement.
The demand for immediate payment or personal information was another clear indicator. Legitimate police investigations do not operate via unsolicited cold calls requesting money or sensitive details. Contributors who questioned the callers from 08 9722 2111 found them unable or unwilling to provide credible verification, confirming the scam nature.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 08 9722 2111
If 08 9722 2111 contacts you:
- Do not: Provide personal details, banking information, or payment details to the caller
- Do not: Agree to send money or gift cards under any circumstances
- Do not: Return the call to the number displayed (it is spoofed)
- Do: Hang up immediately and end the conversation
- Do: Contact the actual AFP directly using the official number 131 AFP (131 237) to verify any claim
- Do: Block 0897222111 in your phone settings to prevent future calls
- Do: Report the call to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
Report Patterns for 0897222111
All three reports of 08 9722 2111 came from answered calls where contributors engaged with the caller before recognising the fraud. The calls targeted individuals directly with personalised false scenarios (using recipient names or implying prior knowledge of identity). Reports span August 2026, indicating recent and ongoing scam activity on this number.
The 0897222111 number is allocated as a Telstra local service in South Australia, which scammers likely selected to appear more credible to Australian recipients. The use of this legitimately-allocated number combined with spoofed police contact details is a common tactic to bypass caller ID skepticism.
How to Report 08 9722 2111
Report this scam number through these official Australian channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - Report the call and spoofing of police numbers
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Document the false AFP claim and payment demand
- Australian Federal Police: Report online at afp.gov.au or call 131 AFP (131 237) to report the impersonation
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 08 9722 2111 to help protect other Australians from this scam
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 9722 2111!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Hello a weird person with a silly and very bad English accent pretended to be a cybercrime police officer, asking for details, claiming to by AFP officer. As they could barely speak intelleigent english its an absolute scam and couldn't detail any proof, I said I can't understand you at all, and I consider this call likely a scam. I hung up. I know Police as mates and detectives and they are far more professional than this. Not credible at all.
Caller pretended to be federal police, reckoned someone got arrested with my details, spoofed a local cop shop number
Spoofing cops and pressuring people to send money. It's fraud
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 9722 2111!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would scammers use 08 9722 2111 to impersonate AFP officers?
The 08 9722 2111 number is allocated as a legitimate Telstra local service in South Australia, making it appear credible to callers. Scammers pair this real number with spoofed police contact details displayed on your caller ID, creating a false sense of legitimacy. When combined with threats about arrest or identity theft, 0897222111 becomes an effective tool for social engineering despite the poor English and lack of real authority.
What should I do if I already gave information to someone claiming to be from 08 9722 2111?
Contact your bank immediately to monitor your accounts for unauthorised transactions. Change passwords for critical accounts like email and myGov. If you provided banking details to the 08 9722 2111 caller, contact your financial institution to cancel or replace cards. Report the incident to the actual AFP via 131 AFP (131 237) and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Consider freezing your credit with credit reporting agencies to prevent identity fraud.
Can 08 9722 2111 actually be the AFP calling me?
No. The Australian Federal Police do not conduct investigations via unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment or personal details. If the AFP needs to contact you, they will use official channels and provide verifiable details. If 0897222111 calls claiming to be federal police, hang up immediately and contact the real AFP on 131 AFP (131 237) using a phone number you dial yourself (not from caller ID). Legitimate law enforcement will never pressure you for money or urgent financial decisions over the phone.
Why do the callers from 08 9722 2111 have poor English proficiency?
Multiple contributors noted that callers from 0897222111 barely spoke intelligible English, which contradicts the claim of being Australian federal police. This is a red flag indicating the scam originates from an overseas call centre. Legitimate AFP officers are Australian law enforcement professionals fluent in English. Poor language skills combined with inability to verify basic facts is a clear indicator that 08 9722 2111 is not a genuine police call.
What makes the 0897222111 scam particularly dangerous?
The combination of impersonation (claiming to be AFP), threat-based tactics (alleging arrest or identity theft), and financial demands creates psychological pressure that bypasses rational thinking. Contributors report the scammers already know or imply they know personal details, increasing perceived credibility. The spoofing of local police numbers on caller ID makes 08 9722 2111 appear legitimate at first glance. These layers of social engineering are designed to make victims act quickly without verification.
Where can I report 08 9722 2111 and what should I include?
Report 0897222111 to the ACMA at acma.gov.au, including the date/time of the call, what the caller claimed, and the spoofed police number displayed on your caller ID. Also report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) with details of the false AFP claim and payment demand. Report the impersonation directly to the AFP via their website or 131 AFP (131 237). When reporting 08 9722 2111, mention that multiple callers are using the same number for coordinated AFP impersonation fraud.