Media release

Stop COVID-19 Cyber fraud

Police

Northern Territory Police Cybercrime Unit is warning of online frauds associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cyber criminals are active with COVID-19 related scams and phishing emails. These incidents are likely to increase in frequency including:

  • Online criminals sending fake ‘COVID-19 relief payment’ emails that offer recipients payments of $2,500 if they complete an application form.  This not only captures the victim’s identifying information, the application form also downloads malicious software onto the recipient’s device.
  • Fraudulent emails imitating trusted sources of information such as the World Health Organisation and text message campaigns deigned to appear as official Australian Government agencies, but contain links directing people to websites that infect devices with malicious software.

Malicious software can allow criminals undetected access to your device to collect your identifying information, your passwords and control your email accounts.

Ongoing analysis of COVID-19 scams and phishing emails indicate some very sophisticated cyber criminals are involved.

If anyone thinks they have been a victim of an online fraud or a scam, please report the matter or obtain further online security information through the Australian Cyber Security website www.cyber.gov.au.