Report cybercrime, scams, fraud and online abuse

Cybercrime and online abuse can be serious crimes. We have strong laws to prevent and deal with harm caused by online abuse and illegal or restricted online content.

If there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, always call Triple Zero (000) first.

Why report cybercrime, scams, fraud, and online abuse

All reports are important. When you report a cybercrime, scam, fraud, or online abuse, you help to stop other people from being victims of the same crimes.

About ReportCyber and eSafety

ReportCyber is the Australian Government's cybercrime reporting tool. They assess all cybercrime reports and assign the relevant ones to police and other law enforcement agencies for investigation.

eSafety can help getting the harmful content removed off websites and platforms. They also offer advice and support for victims of online abuse.

Report a cybercrime, scams, fraud, and online abuse via ReportCyber

Cybercrime is any type of crime that involves a computer, network, or online device. These crimes are best reported through ReportCyber. They will direct your report to the best agency to investigate it.

Some of these reports will be assigned to Victoria Police for further investigation.

Report a cybercrime with ReportCyber

Learn more about different types of cybercrime and online scams at Cybercrime, fraud, scams and online safety.

What ReportCyber can investigate

ReportCyber will take reports on:

identity theft and fraud
online fraud
cyber-enabled abuse including online bullying, stalking and harassment
image-based online abuse and threats
affected devices
fake investment schemes
online banking and account theft
fake romance and relationship scams.

Do not use ReportCyber if:
- There is a court order against a person you suspect of committing the cybercrime.
- A physical crime has occurred, such as your bank cards or devices being stolen. Report this to the nearest police station or via online reporting.
- You have received a scam call but haven’t lost any personal information or money. Report this to Scamwatch instead.
- There are technical issues with social media or user accounts. You can report these to the administrator of that social media platform or website.

What to expect when reporting to ReportCyber

Here is what to do and what to expect when you report a cybercrime or online abuse with ReportCyber.

Read all the prompts carefully and answer as many questions as you can. Include as much information and detail as possible in your report, such as:
- names
- phone numbers
- bank accounts and transaction details
- email addresses
- social media accounts.
You will receive a unique report reference number as a proof of your ReportCyber report. You may need to provide this number to financial institutions or other organisations.
You will also be prompted to download a copy of your report. You will not be able to get a copy of your report once you close that page.
ReportCyber team will process your report and contact you. Not all reports will come to Victoria Police for assessment.

You only need one ReportCyber report

If you have made a cybercrime report to ReportCyber, do not make another report about the same matter.

The ReportCyber team will process your report and contact you.

Report online abuse, cyberbullying, and illegal content with eSafety

Serious online or image-based abuse, or illegal or restricted content can occur in:

posts
comments
texts and online messages
livestreams
memes
images
videos
emails.

If you have experienced online abuse or cyberbullying, or have come across illegal or restricted content, make a report to eSafety. They can help to get harmful online content removed and provide support and advice.

Report online harm with eSafety

Sometimes the online comments or abuse can be criminal. These should be reported through ReportCyber.

What eSafety can investigate

eSafety will investigate reports of serious online incidents such as:

Cyberbullying is serious, harmful online communication to or about a child or young person under 18. It may include:
- being mean online
- sending hurtful messages
- sharing embarrassing photos
- creating fake accounts.
To report cyberbullying get in touch with the website, social media platform or online service first. If they don’t remove the offensive content within 48 hours, contact eSafety.
Adult cyber abuse is serious, harmful online communication to or about a person who is 18 or older. This content is threatening, harassing or offensive and intended to cause serious harm.
Adult cyber abuse may include:
- someone cyber stalking you
- someone threatening you online
- someone 'doxing' you (publicly sharing your personal or private information online).
To report adults cyber abuse, get in touch with the website, social media platform or online service first. If they don’t remove the offensive content within 48 hours, contact eSafety.
Image-based abuse involves sharing or threatening to share intimate images or videos of someone without their consent, such as ‘revenge porn’ or sexual extortion (sextortion).
Report all image-based abuse to eSafety immediately.
If you are being blackmailed
If someone is blackmailing you over intimate images or videos, contact the online platform first.
If you are under 18, report any image-based abuse and blackmail to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
Illegal or restricted content shows or encourages:
- sexual abuse or exploitation of children
- terrorist acts
- other types of violent crimes
- extreme violence.
If you have come across any illegal or restricted content online, report this immediately to eSafety.

What to expect when reporting to eSafety

Here is what to do and what to expect when reporting online abuse or harmful content.

An investigator will review your report. They will contact you as quickly as possible and may ask for more details or let you know more details of the investigation.
You will also be notified if we decide not to investigate your report, or if your report does not meet the threshold required to take action.
eSafety investigation outcomes
Possible outcomes of an eSafety investigation may include:
- removal of harmful content
- issuing a notice asking the person responsible to stop their actions and apologise
- issuing fines or penalties for individuals or services and platforms that don’t remove content
- regulatory or legal action
- referral of content to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

If you have been affected by cybercrime, fraud, scams and online abuse

If you have been scammed or abused by someone online, you should:

stop any further contact
ignore, block and mute the abuser
check and increase privacy settings on your online profiles
stop searching for illegal content
get support.

Support for victims of cybercrime, fraud, scams, and online abuse

If you are victim of cybercrime or online abuse, help and advice is available from a range of counselling and support services.

Scamwatch

Scamwatch(opens in a new window) is a platform set up by the National Anti-Scam Centre to support awareness and reporting of scams. Visit for more information, advice and to report different scams.

IDCARE

IDCARE(opens in a new window) can help with advice and support on scams that involve stealing your identity. This free Australian and New Zealand service can help you limit the damage and recover from the scam. Call 1800 595 160(opens in a new window).

eSafety Commissioner

Report any cyber abuse (regardless of your age), or image-based abuse to the eSafety Commissioner(opens in a new window). They also investigate cyber bullying and help you deal with online abuse.

Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)

If you have been a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for financial help. Find out if you are eligible at Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)(opens in a new window).

Australian Financial Complaints Authority

Contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority(opens in a new window) for any complaints about credit, finance or loan products with your bank or financial institutions.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Check the latest tax related scams and report them to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)(opens in a new window).

Services Australia

You can report all Centrelink or Medicare frauds to Services Australia(opens in a new window).

Consumer Affairs Victoria

Consumer Affairs Victoria(opens in a new window) can provide advice on what to do if you experience issues with private sellers online and helpful information on how to avoid scams.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission(opens in a new window) provides information about where to go for consumer help in your state and explains your rights and guarantees as a consumer in Australia.