Broome community targeted by online scam claiming assault on autistic teenager

In late October, a post on the Broome Noticeboard Facebook group claimed that a 15‑year‑old autistic boy had been attacked and robbed by two men in the coastal town of Broome, Western Australia. The author, identified only as Greg Sealey, posted the alleged incident on October 26 and subsequently shared bank‑account details in the comments, asking readers to contribute money for the family.

Several members of the online community responded, with more than one hundred comments expressing outrage and offering financial assistance. The post was later removed, and the screenshot of the original message was supplied to ABC News. Police in Western Australia have confirmed that they have no record of any such robbery or police report, and they denied the claim that CCTV footage of the incident existed.

ABC News contacted Western Australian police, who stated that the alleged crime could not be verified and that the details provided in the Facebook post were unsubstantiated. The police also noted that the same name, Greg Sealey, had appeared in a previous Facebook appeal for help with a theft, suggesting a pattern of similar solicitations.

Digital‑literacy experts highlighted the incident as an example of how scammers exploit empathy for vulnerable individuals to extract money from unsuspecting donors. They urged social‑media users to verify claims with official sources before making financial contributions, especially when personal details such as bank accounts are shared publicly.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about online fraud in regional Australian communities, where social media platforms are often used for rapid information sharing. Authorities continue to advise the public to report suspicious posts to law‑enforcement agencies and to exercise caution when asked for monetary assistance online.