ASIC scam takedowns jump 90% as Australians’ losses hit $2.18b

ASIC also took down over 1,100 online scam investment advertisements.

Australian regulators removed an average of 32 phishing and investment scam websites a day in 2025, according to data from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

A total of 11,964 phishing and investment scam websites in 2025, a 90% increase in takedowns than a year earlier. This equates to 230 per week, ASIC said.

ASIC also took down more than 1,100 online investment scam advertisements on social media in 2025.

Australians lost $2.18b to scams in 2025, with investment scams alone costing $837.7m, according to the National Anti‑Scam Centre’s latest Targeting Scams Report.

ASIC warned consumers to be aware of AI-powered investment scams, and not to give out contact details or personal information to “anyone spruiking an investment opportunity” unless they can prove they hold an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license.