How to Report Investment Fraud in Australia — The Complete Guide

Reporting fraud is not a sign of weakness or embarrassment. It is a civic obligation that may prevent other Australians from suffering the same loss. Every report — even one that does not result in immediate action — contributes to the regulatory picture that enables enforcement.

Why Your Report Matters

Regulatory bodies including ASIC and the ACCC rely on consumer complaints to identify patterns of conduct that warrant enforcement action. A single complaint may not trigger an investigation. Fifteen complaints about the same operator, company name, or investment scheme create a pattern that regulators can act on.

Police fraud squads similarly rely on complaints to build evidentiary files. Your complaint may be the piece of evidence that enables a prosecution.

Reporting to Australian Regulators

ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)

Report misconduct by financial services providers at asic.gov.au. ASIC is the appropriate body for investment fraud, unlicensed financial advice, and market misconduct.

ACCC / Scamwatch

Report investment scams at scamwatch.gov.au. The National Anti-Scam Centre, operated by the ACCC, coordinates responses to major scam operations.

State Fair Trading Bodies

Consumer-law breaches — including the types of conduct that resulted in Campbell's 2015 and 2018 convictions — can be reported to state fair-trading offices. The Queensland Office of Fair Trading can be contacted at qld.gov.au/fair-trading.

Reporting to Police

In Queensland, contact the Queensland Police Service Economic Crime Command. In other states, contact the relevant police fraud squad. Provide the company name, the ACN/ABN, the amount transferred, and all documentation supporting your complaint.

If funds were paid to an Australian bank account, Australian police have jurisdiction to investigate — even if the promoter is now overseas.

International Dimensions

Where the operator is based in Thailand or Indonesia:

• Australian Federal Police: Report at afp.gov.au — they work with international partners on cross-border fraud
• INTERPOL: The AFP can refer matters to INTERPOL where an international arrest warrant may be warranted
• Thai Royal Police: Reports can be lodged with Thai authorities, though this requires the assistance of a Thai-language solicitor

Anonymous Reporting

Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous reports at crimestoppers.com.au or on 1800 333 000. You do not need to identify yourself to lodge a report about suspected fraud.