Background
Criminals are impersonating real businesses and offering fake investment bonds. They claim these bonds offer high returns and are protected by the government.
Scammers will encourage you to register your name, mobile number and email on a fake website. They steal money by getting people to buy fake investment bonds. They will also use your personal details to commit other scams.
The National Anti-Scam Centre works with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to remove investment scam websites, which led to thousands of websites being taken down in 2024.
How to spot the scam
This scam can be hard to spot because criminals set up fake emails where they pretend to be legitimate brokers. They also have a fake website which looks like the real business’s website. The fake website has the business’s branding and uses links that go to the real website.
The fake website comes up in internet searches for investment opportunities.
Recently criminals were impersonating Bunnings in one of these types of scams. Scammers offered environmental bonds that support carbon reduction, sustainability and waste reduction. They offered 3 investment options ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 and promised higher than market returns of up to 9%. They said that the investments are supported by Bunnings and protected by government finance regulations.
ASIC has taken down the fake Bunnings websites.
What you should know
There are steps you can take to help avoid investment scams:
- Don’t trust surprise offers to invest.
- Don’t take investment advice from people you have met on social media.
- Check the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) website to confirm if the person offering the investment is licenced.
- Check the Moneysmart investor alert list for companies and websites you should not trust.
- Check if the business details match the company’s real website.
Find out more
This scam is a type of investment scam.
Scammers pretend they are from reputable organisations. They ask people to send them money so that it can be invested and generate high returns.
ASIC also has information about investment scams.
Stay protected
- Stop - Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure. Say no, hang up, delete.
- Check - Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. If you’re not sure, call the official phone number of the organisation to check. Do an internet search to see if there are warnings about any investment scam. Check the ASIC website to confirm if the person offering the investment is licenced.
- Protect - Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have had money or personal information stolen contact your bank immediately. Help others by reporting scams to scamwatch.gov.au.
If you’ve been affected
If you’ve had money or personal information stolen contact your bank or card provider immediately.
If you’ve been scammed or have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
You can help others by reporting to Scamwatch.