Ponzi schemes
Beware of this simple, yet effective scam
decrease text size increase text size print page

Reporting scams



ASIC acts against scams involving financial products and services. The information you give us about financial scams is important. It helps us catch the operators of shonky schemes and to shut them down.


Who can help?



Scams within ASIC'S powersWho can help:
Financial products and services promising returns that are too good to be true (including phone investment scams)ASIC New window or send an email to ASIC Infoline
Phone investment scamsASIC New window or send an email to ASIC Infoline
Pyramid marketing schemes involving a financial product.ASIC New window or send an email to ASIC Infoline


Scams outside of ASIC's powersWho can help:
Money transfer schemes offering you fake jobs or 'working from home' opportunities SCAMwatch New window (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)
'Nigerian' advance fee scams asking for your help to transfer money out of a countrySCAMwatch New window or QLD Police Online Reporting System New window (available to all Australians)
Lottery scams, telling you 'out of the blue' that you've won a prize in an international lotterySCAMwatch New window
Phishing - fake bank emails asking you for your account detailsContact your legitimate financial institution directly. Do not respond to any contact details in the email itself.
Pyramid marketing schemes not involving a financial product:Contact your local State office of fair trading, consumer affairs New window (ASIC website)


How to complain


For complaints involving the following, please visit the ASIC website New window for further information:


More information


Getting support if you've been scammed
Nominate a scam for our Pie in the Sky awards

decrease text size increase text size print page