Avoid Remittance and Money Transfer Scams: Warning Signs
In short: To avoid money transfer scams when sending money from Australia to Vietnam, stop before you pay, check who you are really dealing with, and use a provider you can verify on AUSTRAC's Remittance Sector Register. Never send money to someone you have only met online, and never pay a fee to receive a gift or a prize.
Author: Admin EzyRemit · Last updated: 5 October 2026
Money transfer scams sit inside a much larger problem: Australians reported losing $2.18 billion to scams in 2025, up 7.8% on 2024, according to the National Anti-Scam Centre (Targeting Scams report, March 2026). Bank transfer was the payment method scammers asked for most often in reports to Scamwatch, with 8,858 reports. This guide covers the money transfer scams to watch for, the warning signs, how to check a provider, and what to do if you think you have been scammed.

What are the most common money transfer scams?
The most common money transfer scams ask you to send money for a reason that is not real: a romance, an investment, an urgent bill or a "fee" to receive something. Money transfer scams are schemes where a criminal persuades you to send money, by bank transfer or through a transfer service, under false pretences. Once the money has gone, it is very hard to get back, according to Moneysmart.
| Scam type | How it works | Sign to watch for | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment scam | You are shown returns that sound certain, often with a crypto or trading platform | Pressure to deposit more, returns that look too good | Stop paying. Check the business on the public register and report it |
| Romance scam | Someone you met online builds a relationship, then asks for money | They never meet in person or on video, and ask you to move to a private chat | Never send money to someone you only know online (Scamwatch) |
| Impersonation | A caller or message claims to be your bank, a government agency or a family member | Urgency, threats, a request to move money to a "safe" account | Hang up, then contact the real organisation using a number you already know |
| Gift or "release fee" scam | A friend you met online says they are sending a gift, then someone posing as customs asks for a fee | You must pay before you can receive anything | Do not pay. Vietnamese police have warned about this pattern (ANTV, 26 August 2024) |
| Unregistered provider | A business offers to move money but is not on the AUSTRAC register | You cannot find its name, ACN or ABN on the register | Do not use it. Pick a provider you can verify |
How much are Australians losing to scams?
In 2025, Australians reported $2.18 billion in scam losses across 481,523 reports, according to the National Anti-Scam Centre (Targeting Scams, March 2026). The figures combine reports to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange and IDCARE.
- Investment scams caused the largest losses, at $837.7 million combined.
- Among reports to Scamwatch, bank transfer was the payment method scammers asked for most often: 8,858 reports and $118.1 million lost.
- Cryptocurrency made up 36.2% of losses reported to Scamwatch ($121.3 million).
- The report notes that culturally and linguistically diverse communities reported a higher median loss.
Scammers target people from every background. These numbers show why a few minutes of checking before you send is worth it.
What warning signs should make you stop?
Stop if anything about the request feels rushed, secret or hard to verify. Scamwatch's "Stop. Check. Protect." advice starts with the same idea: pause before you pay. (Scamwatch).
| Warning sign | What to do |
|---|---|
| You are told to act now or lose the offer | Pause. A real provider or relative can wait while you check |
| You are asked to keep the transfer secret | Tell a trusted person. Secrecy is a common scam tactic |
| You have only met the person online | Do not send money. Ask to speak by video and confirm with someone who knows them |
| You must pay a fee to receive money, a gift or a prize | Do not pay. Real winnings and gifts do not require an upfront fee |
| You are asked to pay by gift card or cryptocurrency | Stop. This is a common scam payment request |
| The recipient's account details change at the last minute | Call the recipient on a number you already had and confirm the new details |
| You get an unexpected invoice or payment request | Check it with the business through its official contact details |
| The return or the exchange rate looks far too good | Compare with the reference rate and the provider's published terms |
How do you check a money transfer provider is real?
Search the AUSTRAC Remittance Sector Register before you send. Moneysmart says money transfer services in Australia must be registered with AUSTRAC, the national anti-money-laundering regulator, and advises you to check first.
- Open the AUSTRAC Remittance Sector Register.
- Search for the provider's business name, ACN or ABN.
- Check that the legal name and ABN match the provider's website and your payment instructions.
- Check the Conditions column for any limits on the registration.
Registration means the business is on the register. It is not an endorsement of the service, so also read the provider's terms, fee and rate before you pay. For a closer look at what the register covers, read our guide to how international money transfers are regulated.
How can you check the total cost before you send?
Compare the amount your recipient receives, not only the fee. The total cost of a transfer is the fee plus the gap between the provider's exchange rate and a reference rate. A quote that shows the fee, the rate and the final amount in Vietnamese dong is easier to check than one that shows only a headline fee.
For a seasonal take on hidden costs, read the Easter guide to hidden transfer costs.
EzyRemit's flat fee is AUD 7.99 per transaction for transfers from Australia to Vietnam (AUD 1.00 to 49,999.00), applicable in Q4 2026 (1 October to 31 December 2026). The fee is added on top of the amount you send. The exchange rate changes during the day, so see today's rate on ezyremit.com. For a full comparison method, see our guide to sending money from Australia to Vietnam.
How do you keep your account and phone safe?
Use a unique password, switch on two-step verification, and never share a one-time code with anyone. Scamwatch advises changing your passwords and watching your statements if you shared details (Scamwatch).
- Use a different password for each money, email and social media account.
- Turn on two-step verification where it is offered.
- Keep your phone and apps updated.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when you log in to a money app.
- Do not click links in unexpected texts or emails. Open the app or type the website address yourself.
What scams target people receiving money in Vietnam?
A common one is the "gift from abroad" scam. Police in Vietnam have warned that scammers befriend people on social media, say they are sending a gift, then pose as customs or bank staff and demand fees before the gift can be released (ANTV, 26 August 2024). The report describes two women who nearly lost about 26 million and 25 million dong before bank staff stepped in.
If you have family in Vietnam, tell them three things: nobody needs to pay a fee to receive a gift or transfer, never share one-time codes, and always call you on a known number to confirm. Scamwatch has information in Vietnamese on its Vietnamese language page. Our Vietnamese guide is at EzyRemit lừa đảo?.
What should you do if you think you've been scammed?
Act quickly. Getting money back is not always possible, so report as early as you can. Scamwatch lists these steps (Scamwatch):
- Contact your bank and your transfer provider straight away. Give them the date, amount, and transaction reference.
- Call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for help with a recovery plan, especially if you shared personal details.
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, so others are warned.
- Report to police through ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.
- Change your passwords and check your accounts and statements for activity you do not recognise.
- Tell the organisation that was impersonated and the platform where it happened.
Keep screenshots, receipts, messages and account details. They help your bank, the provider and the police.
Is it safe to use EzyRemit?
EzyRemit is an Australian international money transfer service that helps people and businesses send money from Australia to Vietnam, the Philippines and other destinations. EzyRemit Worldwide Pty Ltd is registered with AUSTRAC as an independent remittance dealer (IND100838372). You can check this yourself on the AUSTRAC register by searching "EzyRemit". For a step-by-step check, read Is EzyRemit safe? How to check our AUSTRAC registration, or visit ezyremit.com.
Key takeaways
- Stop, check and protect: pause before you pay, verify who you are dealing with, and report quickly if something goes wrong.
- Check any provider on the AUSTRAC Remittance Sector Register by name, ACN or ABN.
- Never pay a fee to receive a gift, prize or transfer, and never send money to someone you only know online.
- If you think you've been scammed, contact your bank, IDCARE (1800 595 160), Scamwatch and ReportCyber.
FAQ
Can I get my money back if I sent it to a scammer?
Sometimes, but not always. Contact your bank and your transfer provider straight away, then report to Scamwatch and ReportCyber. The faster you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage.
Who do I report a money transfer scam to in Australia?
Report to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), and to police through ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. IDCARE (1800 595 160) supports people who have lost money or personal details. Also tell your bank.
How do I know a remittance provider is registered?
Search the provider's name, ACN or ABN on the AUSTRAC Remittance Sector Register. Registration shows the business is on the register, not that its service is endorsed.
Why would someone ask me to pay a fee to receive a gift?
It is a sign of a scam. Police in Vietnam have warned about gift-from-abroad scams that ask for customs or bank fees before a gift can be released.
Is it safe to send a large amount in one go?
There is no general yes or no. Be sure who the recipient is and why you are sending, check the provider, and confirm the details with the recipient on a number you already know.
This article gives general information only. It is not financial or legal advice. Rules, fees and contact details change, so check the current details with the organisations named. Last updated: 5 October 2026.








