The Rise of AI Scams in Australia (2025): How to Spot and Avoid Them

Introduction — Australia’s New Scam Frontier

In 2025, a new kind of scammer is on the rise in Australia — one armed not with crude emails or clumsy phone calls, but with artificial intelligence. From perfectly cloned voices of loved ones to hyper-realistic deepfake videos of “bank managers” or “government officials,” AI is enabling fraudsters to make their lies more convincing than ever before.

According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, Australians lost more than $3.7 billion to scams in 2024, and while awareness campaigns have helped reduce the number of reports, early 2025 data shows the amount lost per successful scam is rising sharply. Many of the most damaging cases now involve AI.

“AI tools have taken scams to a new level of believability,” says Dr. Angela Morris, a cybersecurity researcher at the University of Melbourne. “We’ve reached a point where even trained eyes and ears can be fooled without careful verification.”

This guide examines the top six AI-driven scams hitting Australians in 2025, how they work, real local case studies, and — most importantly — how you can protect yourself and your family.

Quick Summary — AI Scams in 2025 (Australia)

(For full details, scroll down)

• AI Voice Cloning — Fraudsters imitate loved ones or officials to demand money.

• Deepfake Video Pitches — Fake “executives” selling bogus investments.

• AI-Powered Phishing Emails — Brand-perfect, personalised messages with malicious links.

• Romance + AI Grooming — Synthetic profiles using AI chats & deepfake video.

• AI Scam Chatbots — “Customer service” agents that never existed.

• Synthetic ID Fraud — AI-generated IDs used to open accounts & launder money.

1. AI Voice Cloning Scams

How It Works

Scammers use AI to mimic a person’s voice from just a few seconds of audio — often scraped from social media videos or podcasts. They call pretending to be a family member, friend, or government official in urgent distress, asking for immediate help.

2025 Australian Case Study

In March 2025, a Perth retiree received a frantic call from her “grandson,” claiming he’d been in a car accident and needed $9,000 for legal fees. The voice matched perfectly — tone, accent, even his nervous laugh. It wasn’t until she called his actual mobile later that she realised she’d been tricked.

Warning Signs

• Urgent demands for money via phone.

• Calls from “family” on unfamiliar numbers.

• Refusal to verify identity through a pre-agreed code word.

How to Protect Yourself

• Set up a family verification code for emergencies.

• Call back using a known, official number.

• Be cautious about sharing videos or voice notes online.

Related reading: How to Spot a Phishing Email – Easy Tips for Seniors

2. Deepfake Video Investment Pitches

How It Works

AI generates ultra-realistic videos of trusted figures — such as bank managers, CEOs, or even celebrities — “personally” inviting you to invest in a special opportunity. These deepfakes may be embedded in ads, webinars, or Zoom calls.

2025 Australian Case Study

In Sydney, an IT consultant invested $25,000 after seeing a deepfake of a well-known financial commentator promoting a “government-backed green energy bond.” The fake video was embedded in a cloned ABC News article, making it seem credible.

Warning Signs

• Investment offers via unsolicited video calls or ads.

• Inconsistencies in lip-sync or facial movement.

• Pressure to transfer funds quickly to “secure your spot.”

How to Protect Yourself

• Independently verify offers via ASIC’s register.

• Never invest based solely on an online video or ad.

• Cross-check information with the official organisation’s website.

Related reading: Top 5 Investment Scams Australians Are Reporting in 2025

3. AI-Powered Phishing Emails & Messages

How It Works

Phishing isn’t new — but in 2025, AI writes flawless, brand-perfect emails and texts that reference your real transactions or account details, often stolen from previous breaches. Some even use AI-generated QR codes to bypass link filters.

2025 Australian Case Study

A Melbourne couple received an email “from their bank” about unusual account activity, with perfect grammar and a matching sender address. Clicking the QR code led to a fake login page where their credentials were stolen.

Warning Signs

• Unsolicited account alerts with links or QR codes.

• Emails referencing specific transactions you don’t recall.

• Slight variations in sender domains.

How to Protect Yourself

• Type web addresses directly — don’t click links.

• Use a password manager to block fake domains.

• Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.

Related reading: Top 7 SMS Scams Australians Must Avoid in 2025

4. AI-Enhanced Romance Scams

How It Works

Romance scams now combine long-term emotional grooming with AI tools — fake profiles powered by AI-generated profile pictures, deepfake “video calls,” and realistic chatbots that can hold 24/7 conversations.

2025 Australian Case Study

A Brisbane woman was “dating” a man she met online for seven months. They had several video calls, but his face was a deepfake generated from stolen images. He eventually convinced her to “invest together” in cryptocurrency, costing her $40,000.

Warning Signs

• Reluctance to meet in person.

• Excuses for why calls are always short or blurry.

• Requests for money, investment, or crypto.

How to Protect Yourself

• Reverse-image search profile photos.

• Demand a real-time, gesture-based video verification.

• Never send money to someone you haven’t met.

Related reading: Cyberbullying in Australia: What Parents & Teens Need to Know

5. AI Scam Chatbots

How It Works

Fraudsters deploy AI chatbots posing as “customer service” reps for banks, retailers, or government agencies. They operate on fake websites or through messaging apps, guiding victims step-by-step into giving away sensitive data or making payments.

2025 Australian Case Study

In Adelaide, a small business owner contacted what she thought was her bank’s online chat about a payment issue. The chatbot walked her through “security verification,” including her full banking login and SMS code — draining her account within minutes.

Warning Signs

• Customer support links sent via SMS or social media.

• Chat agents asking for passwords or full card numbers.

• Requests to install “security apps.”

How to Protect Yourself

• Only use support channels from official websites you type yourself.

• Never share full login details in a chat.

• Call your bank directly if in doubt.

6. Synthetic ID Fraud

How It Works

AI generates realistic fake identities — complete with photos, signatures, and IDs — which are then used to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or launder money. Victims may only find out when debt collectors come calling.

2025 Australian Case Study

The National Anti-Scam Centre reported a spike in synthetic identity cases involving First Nations communities, where stolen personal data was combined with AI-generated imagery to bypass ID checks at financial institutions.

Warning Signs

• Credit reports showing accounts you didn’t open.

• Debt collection notices for unknown loans.

• Suspicious bank mail in your name.

How to Protect Yourself

• Monitor your credit report regularly.

• Use mail redirection if you move.

• Place a credit ban if your ID is compromised.

Government & Industry Response — The Scams Prevention Framework

In February 2025, Australia introduced the Scams Prevention Framework (SPF), which imposes legal duties on banks, telcos, and digital platforms to detect and block scams, verify advertisers, and warn customers of high-risk transactions.

The SPF includes penalties of up to $50 million for serious non-compliance, aiming to shift more responsibility onto the platforms scammers exploit.

Practical Protection Checklist

• Enable MFA on all important accounts.

• Use a password manager to block fake domains.

• Verify payments out-of-band with a second channel.

• Set up family code words for emergencies.

• Bookmark official sites for banks, ATO, couriers.

• Check your credit report at least twice a year.

Conclusion — Staying Ahead in 2025

AI scams are growing in speed, scale, and sophistication — but awareness and good habits can still outsmart them. Remember:

• Real opportunities survive verification.

• Urgency is the biggest red flag.

• If in doubt, stop and check.