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The AFP has launched a global operation – using the same capability and skill that has disrupted some of the world’s most dangerous criminals – to target organised crime networks scamming Australians.

Operation Firestorm, which began earlier this year, is focused on cyber criminals and human trafficking targets in South-East Asia and Eastern Europe.

The AFP can today reveal that the same tradecraft used by Operation Gain, which successfully disrupts the most prominent offshore organised crime offenders impacting Australians, will be used by Operation Firestorm.

Operation Firestorm will also be supported by dedicated AFP cybercrime liaison officers in Pretoria, London, The Hague, Belgrade and Washington.

In South-East Asia, the AFP has 30 permanently-based members who are working with local law enforcement to tackle a range of crime, including large boiler rooms.

AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean said the long arm of the AFP, maximised by its significant partnerships around the world, would reach criminals who were fleecing Australians.

“The AFP will not stand by and watch Australians, mums and dads, and businesses owners lose eye-watering amounts of money to scammers, in particular those who have set-up boiler rooms in South-East Asia,’’ Assistant Commissioner McLean said.

“We are working closely with our international partners to share intelligence and identify the significant heads of the cyber scam syndicates.

“We will work closely with our partners to help protect scam victims, who are not just in Australia.

“We need to be clear – these syndicates are well-resourced and all over the world.

“Operation Firestorm will be a long-standing and complex investigation but the AFP will not resile from our mission – protecting Australians and Australia’s interests.”

AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean said the AFP’s largest international network presence was in South-East Asia.

“We know in many cases, that the scammers are also victims themselves, who have been deceived or human trafficked into working in these boiler rooms and then forced to deceive and manipulate Australians into handing over money.

“Just like in the illicit drug trafficking trade, organised crime will always find ways to make money where there is vulnerability and profitability.

“Unfortunately, Australians are targeted for their wealth and their take-up of technology.”

Operation Firestorm will be based out of the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), in the AFP’s headquarters in Sydney.  

The JPC3 coordinates Australia’s policing response to high harm, high volume cybercrime to maximise impact on the criminal environment, and enhances intelligence sharing and target development across Commonwealth, state and territory police and industry.

To date, the JPC3 includes seconded members from several major financial institutions; Australian Government agencies including AUSTRAC, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission; state and territory police forces and various international partners.   

The AFP works collaboratively with government and industry partners as part of the coordinated response to scams.

This can include targeting cybercriminals and money laundering syndicates that enable organised crime groups, including those carrying out systematic scams.

The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement and key industry and international partners to fight cybercrime and prevent harm and financial loss to the Australian community.

We are committed to equipping all Australians with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves against cybercrime.

Watch our cybercrime prevention videos and protect yourself from being a victim of cybercrime.

If there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, call 000.

If you are a victim of cybercrime, report it to police using Report Cyber.