Investment scam website takedown capability

Stronger action to combat scams

ASIC is broadening its capabilities in disrupting investment scams by working with a third-party, Netcraft Ltd, to remove or limit access on the internet to malicious phishing and investment scam websites seeking to scam consumers out of their information and money.

The types of websites we are targeting include unregulated, fake or imposter entities offering financial services or investment scams to Australians, including fake trading platforms and crypto-asset investment scams. ASIC expects the takedown service to impact the reach of scammers, particularly those located offshore and reduce the harm caused to Australians.

Australian consumers can lose money to investment scams over a period of weeks. The quicker ASIC can act to take sites down, the fewer victims will lose money to false investment opportunities.

If you’ve seen a suspicious website and you think it might be an investment scam, find out how to report an investment scam by following the link.

ASIC’s investment scam and phishing website takedown capability is part of the government’s Fighting Scams initiative to disrupt scams and protect Australians from financial harm. The initiative also supports the work of the National Anti-Scams Centre (NASC), which commenced operations on 1 July 2023. The National Anti-Scam Centre will coordinate government, law enforcement and the private sector to combat scams.

ASIC is working with a number of government agencies through the NASC to take down investment scam websites that have been reported to them.