Crime Stoppers Queensland is warning Queenslanders to stay alert for organised crime recruitment scams, after launching a new national awareness campaign in Brisbane.
The campaign, called Money Trap, is backed by the Australian Government and aims to help people recognise warning signs before they become involved in suspicious money movements. Crime Stoppers says some people are being approached through fake job offers, social media messages and promises of easy money.
Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO David Hansen said these approaches can look convincing at first.
“Whether it’s a message on social media, an online job advertisement or someone asking to use your bank account, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Mr Hansen said.
The campaign is focused on protecting international students and temporary visa holders, but Mr Hansen said the warning applies to everyone.
Local crime data puts the warning into context
The warning comes as crime data for Chermside shows 3,841 offences recorded over the past year, from 23 July 2025 to 22 July 2026.
The largest category was other theft, with 2,046 offences. Other recorded offences included drug offences with 582, good order offences with 222, assault with 179 and traffic and related offences with 165.
The data also shows that 2,055 offences happened between 6am and 2pm, and Thursday recorded the highest number of offences across the week.
The figures do not relate to the Money Trap campaign itself, but they show why residents may want to stay careful about the messages, offers and requests they receive online.
The warning signs to look out for
Crime Stoppers says people should be cautious if they see:
unsolicited job offers promising easy money
requests to receive or transfer money through a personal bank account
requests to share banking details or allow another person to use an account
pressure to act quickly or keep the arrangement secret
Mr Hansen said people can help protect themselves and others by learning the warning signs, talking about them with family and friends, and reporting suspicious behaviour anonymously.
“By learning the warning signs, talking about them with family and friends and reporting suspicious behaviour anonymously, Queenslanders can play an important role in protecting their communities,” he said.
Crime Stoppers says anyone with information about suspicious criminal activity can report it safely and anonymously through its hotline or website.
For Chermside locals, the message is simple: if a job offer, payment request or online message does not feel right, stop and check before you act.
Published 23-July-2026
