The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement has recently opened an inquiry into crime as a service – but why is that relevant to consumer organisations? Crime as a Service, also called cybercrime as a service or CaaS, includes things like the acquisition of personal information and the proliferation of fake websites and bulk emails – scams. Scams are a serious consumer issue that leave people out of pocket and in distress, they cost the public peace of mind and have already cost Australians over $100 million this year alone.
This is an opportunity to make sure consumer concerns are heard; submissions close 13 October 2025. For more information on the inquiry; including the terms of reference (also available below), contact information, accessibility information, and how to make a submission; please follow the link to the inquiry page on the Australian Parliament House website: Combatting Crime as a Service – Parliament of Australia.
Pursuant to subsection 7(1) of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Act 2010, the committee will inquire into and report on the challenges and opportunities for Australian law enforcement in combatting Crime as a Service, with reference to:
- the nature and impact of these and other technology-driven advancements on criminal methodologies and activities, including the use of cryptocurrencies;
- the impact of these types of technology-driven crimes on Australians, including with regard to age, gender, socio-economic status and business type;
- challenges and opportunities for Australian law enforcement in combatting these and other evolving criminal methodologies;
- whether the existing legislative, regulatory, and policy frameworks to address these and other evolving criminal methodologies are fit for purpose; and
- the approaches being taken by law enforcement in other countries and internationally.