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  1. Home
  2. While you’re away
  3. If you're a victim of a crime overseas
  4. I've been scammed overseas

I've been scammed overseas

Last Updated
Friday, 12/08/2022

Australian travellers of all ages and backgrounds have become victims of scams overseas.

Some scammers are opportunistic, taking advantage of Australians already in their destination. Others, especially online scammers, begin their scam while the victim is still in Australia. They often lure their victims overseas with the promise of romance or money.

This page provides general advice on scams and what to do if you're a victim overseas. Explore this page for information about:

  • types of travel scams
  • what to do if you're a victim of a travel scam
  • information for victims of visa scams
  • how the Australian Government can help overseas.

The Australian authority on scams is the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Read this general advice as well as the ACCC's advice on ScamWatch.

This page is for Australian scam victims overseas. For information before you go, see our general advice on avoiding scams.

Types of travel scams

Some common travel scams that start while the victim is still in Australia include:

  • dating and romance
  • jobs and employment
  • unexpected money
  • identity theft.

Some common travel scams that start while the victim is already overseas include:

  • airport taxi scam
  • broken meter scam
  • fake accidents
  • overcharging
  • 'carry my bag' scam
  • 'friend in need' scam
  • credit card skimming
  • damaged property scam, including car or bike rentals.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) operates ScamWatch. It provides information to Australians about how to recognise if they've been scammed. It explains different types of scams and how to report a scam.

What to do if you're the victim of a scam

If you're overseas and have been the victim of a scam, ensure your safety first. Get away from the person or venue that has scammed you, then:

  • report the crime to local police, always ask for a police report
  • contact your bank or financial institution to block your cards and account
  • contact your travel insurance provider.

Most banks and travel insurers have a 24-hour emergency number for Australians overseas.

You could also contact:

  • family and friends
  • travel agent
  • employer
  • airline
  • the ACCC to report the scam.

What to do if you're a victim of a visa scam

If you find out you're the victim of a scam visa when you arrive in the country, you may be arrested or detained for trying to enter illegally. You may be deported.

In this case, consular officers at the Australian embassy or consulate can provide consular assistance.

In some cases, you may be deported or able to pay for a valid visa on arrival. We can't assist you in these cases.

How the Australian Government can help

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help overseas. If you've been scammed, contact local authorities and seek support from friends and family.

In a consular emergency, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate. if outside business hours, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

  • +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
  • 1300 555 135 in Australia

Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how and when we can help.

What we can do

  • We can give you general information about the local legal system.
  • We can provide a you with a list of local English-speaking lawyers.
  • We can connect you to Lifeline from overseas for emergency counselling and support.

What we can't do

  • We can't give legal advice.
  • We can't conduct investigations about the scam.
  • We can't report the crime for you, or liaise with the local police on your behalf.
  • We can't pay your bills for you if a scammer took all your money.
  • We can't loan you money.

Read More

  • Reduce the risk of being scammed before you go.
  • Read the travel advice for your destination.
  • See our general advice on what to do if you need money overseas.

See also

  • For consular assistance, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
  • Learn about scams on SCAMwatch (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission).
  • Read The Little Black Book of Scams (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission).
  • Find out about common tourist traps and travel scams (CHOICE).

Related content

Travel insurance

No matter who you are, where you're going and what you're doing, get travel insurance. Learn how to choose a policy that's right for you.

View details
I've been assaulted overseas

Assault and violence can happen to anyone, anywhere. Read this page for advice on what to do immediately after an assault while travelling.

View details
I've been sexually assaulted overseas

Learn more about avoiding sexual assault overseas, what to do if you've been assault and how we can help.

View details

Main navigation

  • When things go wrong
    • Arrested or jailed
    • Lost property
    • Medical assistance
    • Money problems
    • Someone is missing
    • Someone died
  • Crime overseas
    • Assaulted
    • Kidnapped
    • Robbed or mugged
    • Scammed
    • Sexually assaulted
  • Crisis or emergency
    • Demonstration
    • Armed conflict
    • Earthquake
    • Severe weather
    • Terrorist situation
    • Volcanic eruption
    • Bushfire
    • Nuclear incident
  • Australia's biosecurity and border controls

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement