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Fraudsters are stepping up their game in 2025 with increasingly sophisticated tactics from AI-generated impersonations to cryptocurrency schemes to target Australians. A former Australian Federal Police officer who now works at National Australia Bank (NAB) has identified five key scams expected to dominate this year.
NAB group investigations executive Chris Sheehan stressed the importance of staying informed.
“Every Australian needs to know about these scams so they can recognise the red flags and protect themselves and their loved ones. Once funds are sent it's often very hard to recover money, despite our best efforts. Criminals quickly send it to overseas accounts or to cryptocurrency platforms knowing it makes it harder to retrieve. Which is why it's important to catch it quickly.”
One of the most concerning developments is the use of artificial intelligence by scammers to create lifelike impersonations of public figures, including politicians and celebrities. These deepfake images, videos, and voice recordings are used to promote fake investment opportunities or products on social media.
While NAB has not yet reported any AI-related sextortion cases in Australia, Sheehan said it can have “devastating consequences” in other countries. He advised treating celebrity-endorsed investment opportunities with caution and verifying them independently.
The rising popularity of cryptocurrency has created a fertile ground for scammers, who lure victims into fake trading platforms with promises of quick profits. Victims often see small gains at first, only to face barriers like withdrawal fees or account lockouts when they try to access their money.
To avoid falling prey, Australians are encouraged to confirm that investment platforms are registered with AUSTRAC and have a valid Australian Financial Services licence. Researching online reviews and checking scam alert lists can also help verify legitimacy.
Scams tied to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as concerts or international travel, are on the rise. These scams often involve counterfeit tickets, overpriced items, or fraudulent offers for new travel visa requirements, such as those for the UK starting in January 2025.
Sheehan pointed to anticipated tours from bands like Oasis and Metallica as potential targets for ticket scams, similar to incidents reported during Taylor Swift and Coldplay’s tours in 2024: “Criminals create urgency to act quickly. It could be fear of missing out that concert tickets will go quickly.” He advised buying tickets only from official resale platforms and thoroughly reviewing seller profiles.
Remote access scams remain a major concern for both individuals and businesses. Scammers impersonate banks or tech companies, convincing victims to download software that grants them access to sensitive information. Business losses from these scams often amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
“We anticipate criminals will continue to target Australian consumers and businesses with remote access scams in 2025. Losses often run into tens of thousands of dollars, compared to other scams where the criminals might net $500 or $1,000,” Sheehan said.
To stay protected, Australians should avoid granting remote access to unsolicited callers, as well as quickly reach out to the individual or organization to confirm if the text message or email is legitimate.
Phishing scams continue to evolve, with fraudsters now sending more convincing messages that mimic legitimate organisations. Recent examples include texts urging recipients to redeem loyalty rewards before they expire.
NAB reiterated that it will never ask for personal or banking information through unsolicited links. Regular updates to software and the use of trusted antivirus programs are also essential for protecting against phishing attempts.
