The Scamathon
National Cyber Security Centre

$3.8 million—every week, that’s the amount New Zealanders unknowingly lose to cyber scammers.

These fraudsters prey on our goodwill, generosity, and deeply human instincts.

To shed light on this massive problem, NCSC’s Cyber Smart Week delivered a biting parody of the classic Telethon: the “Scamathon.” Behind its cheerful façade was a sobering message about how scammers exploit our urge to give.

Over the course of a week, the campaign dominated TV, social media, digital, and outdoor spaces. Each day brought new, over-the-top scam-themed appeals as fraudsters "pleaded" for support toward their shameless goal. Real-time tickers across platforms tracked the rising "donations," driving home the shocking scale of these losses. The result was an unforgettable, darkly comedic spectacle with a serious reminder to stay vigilant online.