Sydney Tradie Scammed Out of $17,000 in Text Message Spoofing Attack

• spoofing-scams
• banking-security
• fraud-awareness

Bradley Turner, a Sydney tradie, lost over $17,000 to a convincing text message spoofing scam that mimicked ANZ Bank. Learn how it happened and how to protect yourself.

A Devastating Scam Hits Sydney Tradie

Bradley Turner, a hard-working Sydney-based microcementing business owner, has become the latest victim in a sophisticated text message spoofing scam. Despite being tech-savvy, Mr Turner was tricked into transferring over $17,000 after receiving what looked like a legitimate alert from his bank, ANZ.

How the Scam Played Out

On a quiet Sunday morning, Mr Turner received a text message stating his voice ID had been updated. The message appeared in an existing SMS thread with ANZ, which made it appear authentic. Concerned for the security of his business account, he immediately called the number provided in the message.

Once connected, he was told his account was under threat from a scammer in New Zealand and he needed to transfer his funds to a ‘safe’ account. Panicked and desperate to protect his business’s wages, he transferred two payments totaling nearly $24,000. While a $7,000 payment was eventually stopped, the remaining $16,941 was unrecoverable.

Why the Scam Was So Effective

This wasn’t a random phishing attempt. Scammers used advanced spoofing tactics to insert messages into legitimate message threads. These scams mirror the branding, language, and urgency of real banking messages, making them nearly indistinguishable from genuine alerts.

According to Mr Turner, the scam exploited both his trust in ANZ and the natural panic that arises when a business account appears compromised. “I’m pretty clued in,” he said, “but they made me panic.”

What the Bank Said

ANZ confirmed the funds were moved too quickly to be recovered, a common issue as cybercriminals often use rapid transfers or convert funds into cryptocurrency. ANZ stated it works with telecom providers to prevent spoofing and does not ask for passwords, remote access, or urgent transfers via text messages.

Despite this, Mr Turner feels abandoned, arguing that the bank should take more responsibility for allowing fake messages to appear within legitimate communication channels.

Other Similar Cases

Mr Turner is not alone. Earlier this year, Melbourne tradie Furkan Colak lost $58,000 in a nearly identical scam. He too believed he was communicating with ANZ while trying to buy a house and fund his father's surgery.

How to Protect Yourself from Spoofing Scams

• Don’t trust message threads: Just because a message appears in a familiar thread doesn’t mean it’s legitimate.
• Never call numbers provided in unsolicited texts: Instead, use the official website or banking app.
• Watch for urgency: Messages that create panic or demand immediate action are often scams.
• Verify before acting: Contact your bank using verified contact details before making any account changes or transfers.
• Enable alerts and secure your accounts: Use two-factor authentication and monitor accounts closely.

With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, it's critical to stay informed and cautious—even messages from familiar sources can be fake. Always double-check before acting, especially when your finances are at stake.