media release (25-026MR)

ASIC shuts down 130 investment scam websites per week

Published

Online scammers are squarely in ASIC’s cross hairs with new data revealing more than 10,000 investment scam websites and online advertisements have been shut down by the agency[1].

ASIC’s latest Enforcement and regulatory update shows 10,240 of the most common sites removed include 7,227 fake investment platform scams, 1,564 phishing scam hyperlinks and 1,257 cryptocurrency investment scams.

ASIC also commenced court action against HSBC Australia in December, alleging failures to adequately protect customers scammed out of millions of dollars. This action followed ASIC reports into the anti-scam practices of 15 banks outside the major four, that found there was significant room for improvement.

ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said since ASIC established its capability in 2023, the agency was helping shut down an average of 130 investment scam websites each week.

Ms Court said, ‘Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated technology to steal money from hard-working Australians with investment scams that can look shockingly legitimate.

‘This new data demonstrates that ASIC is making Australia safer by stamping out these scams before they reach Australians.’

‘ASIC will continue to protect Australians from scams by removing them before they reach consumers and holding financial institutions accountable for their scam detection and response practices.'

The report also highlights that in the last six months of 2024, ASIC increased its new investigations by 31%[2] to 109 new investigations, commenced 15 new court actions, and completed 376 surveillances. The update also reports ASIC was successful in the majority of its civil and criminal prosecutions, securing $46.6 million in civil penalties and 13 criminal convictions.

ASIC Chair Joe Longo said that the outcomes ASIC had achieved over the last six months highlighted that its organisational redesign and a refreshed executive team were having positive impacts.

‘The changes we have made mean ASIC is able to more efficiently process intelligence, leading to earlier commencement of investigations and surveillances,’ Mr Longo said.

‘We anticipate the increased number of investigations we have commenced will flow through to significant compliance, enforcement and consumer outcomes in the year ahead.

‘As outlined in our 2025 Enforcement Priorities, banks, insurance companies and superannuation trustees are on notice, and we are concerned by the inconsistencies and complacency we have observed.

‘Our focus on the superannuation sector was underscored recently with the Government’s announcement to raise the bar on customer service by introducing mandatory and enforceable service standards.

‘Using our full regulatory toolkit, we’ve focused on landmark cases and compliance action that deliver financial outcomes and protect consumers and investors,’ Mr Longo said.

High impact enforcement and compliance activity within the report includes:

  • ASIC’s action against NAB for allegedly failing 345 customers who applied for hardship support (24-254MR)
  • ASIC’s action against QBE Insurance for allegedly misleading customers about pricing discounts (24-234MR)
  • ASIC’s action against Cbus trustee United Super alleging delays in processing death benefits and total and permanent disability insurance claims for more than 10,000 members and claimants (24-251MR)
  • ASIC’s first-of-its-kind review of bank customers on low incomes who were charged high fees, and the response by banks who will refund over $28 million dollars to customers (24-153MR).

To protect investors, ASIC also commenced legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW alleging Regional Express Holdings Limited engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct and contraventions of continuous disclosure obligations.

ASIC’s 2025 enforcement priorities will continue to reflect the increased cost-of-living pressures faced by consumers and aim to prevent financial harm.

More information

[1] Since ASIC established the capability in July 2023

[2] Compared to the prior corresponding period: 2H 2023