Chinese Students Under Siege: Scam Crisis Raises Diplomatic Concerns

Calls Grow for Stronger Protections as International Students Face Extortion Threats

International students in Australia, particularly those from China, are increasingly being targeted by organised scammers impersonating Chinese law enforcement officers. Using fear tactics and deception, these fraudsters falsely claim that students are under investigation for serious offences such as identity fraud or visa violations. Victims are threatened with arrest, deportation, or extradition unless they pay large sums of money. Authorities have described the scam as both psychologically coercive and technologically advanced, with over $5 million extorted in just five months.

The scheme is spreading rapidly across major Australian cities. Scammers often allege that students are under “24-hour surveillance” to heighten intimidation. Victims are accused of using fake passports or credit cards, or of having their identities linked to financial crimes. In some cases, students are falsely informed that Australian authorities are preparing to arrest or deport them for breaching visa conditions.

Although law enforcement agencies have been monitoring such scams for several years, the National Anti-Scam Centre recently warned that these operations are becoming increasingly aggressive and threatening. A spokesperson noted a sharp rise in scams referencing “24-hour surveillance,” with 16 cases reported since March—eight of which occurred in May alone. Students are strongly advised not to engage with threatening callers or follow their instructions, as doing so may lead to further intimidation and financial loss.

Between January and May 2025, nearly 680 scam cases were reported, resulting in $5.1 million in losses, with an average loss of $138,018 per victim. The majority of victims were aged between 18 and 24, including 21 students who collectively lost $3.3 million. Ten older students were also among the 37 confirmed victims. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had previously warned of “virtual kidnapping” scams. In one alarming case, an 18-year-old student was manipulated into isolating herself and sending staged kidnapping videos to her family, after which scammers demanded ransom payments while posing as Chinese officials. An ACCC spokesperson cautioned against keeping a camera on at someone else’s instruction, as this could be part of a broader scam strategy.

Officials have urged students who are told they are under investigation to immediately contact local police, their university’s international student support team, or trusted Australian-Chinese community services. Scammers often cold-call Mandarin speakers or leave urgent messages, falsely claiming that money is required to prove innocence. State police, including those in Victoria, are actively monitoring these scams, which are considered part of a wider “global extortion” network.

A police spokesperson confirmed that scammers are deliberately targeting Mandarin-speaking students by impersonating officials and using blackmail tactics. The National Anti-Scam Centre has reiterated its warning to the public not to share personal information or transfer money to unverified individuals, emphasising that scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into hasty decisions. As these scams grow more sophisticated, protecting international students requires vigilance, education, and swift institutional support.

Editor’s Note:

The rise in sophisticated scams targeting Chinese international students in Australia highlights more than a security concern; it reveals a deeper failure in how student safety and support are managed. These students, often unfamiliar with local systems, are being extorted by scammers posing as law enforcement, exploiting fear and isolation with alarming ease. Without stronger safeguards, Australia’s reputation as a safe, welcoming education destination is at risk. Chinese students contribute significantly to Australia’s economy and campus diversity. Yet continued reports of targeted scams and limited awareness of support services could lead families and institutions abroad to reconsider Australia as a study option. At a time of sensitive Australia–China relations, such vulnerabilities risk inflaming diplomatic tensions. Even when driven by criminal acts, a perception of neglect or systemic bias can quickly erode trust, affecting student flows, research ties, and broader cooperation.

Skoobuzz firmly believes that Australia’s standing in global education depends not just on academic excellence, but on its ability to ensure the dignity, safety, and inclusion of all the students.