Flipping the Script on Scammers
The 2025 SCAM THE SCAMMERS Hackathon, powered by Apate.ai and Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub
Join the Mission
Join the mission to dismantle the global scam economy. The SCAM THE SCAMMERS Hackathon challenges students, engineers, and creators to build AI tools that outsmart scammers in real time. Work alongside Apate.ai’s engineers and mentors to design, test, and launch solutions that help stop scams before they reach people.
Our Mission
We exist to break the scammers’ business model globally by beating them at their own game.
Apate.ai equips telcos, banks, and governments with advanced conversational AI bots that prevent and disrupt scams at scale. Our technology delivers real-time intelligence to stay ahead of scam threats, tactics, techniques, and procedures, enabling fast, proactive responses to scam operations.
Our bot army engages scammers directly to collect intelligences from the mouths and keystrokes of the scammers themselves.
Who We Are
Apate.ai is a Sydney-based startup spun out of Macquarie University’s Cyber Security Hub. Founded by Professor Dali Kaafar and a team of researchers and engineers, Apate.ai is one of Australia’s fastest-growing AI companies.
Backed by the Australian Economic Accelerator and venture partners OIF Ventures, Investible, and Gandel Invest, Apate.ai is part of a new wave of Australian deep-tech companies solving global problems.
Our technology is trusted by institutions such as Commonwealth Bank and TPG Telecom, powering a real-time counterintelligence and scam disruption ecosystem that protects millions of people every day.
Key Achievements & Recognition
AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies List
Winner, Most Innovative Technology Company in Australia
10th Annual Fintech and Banking Awards
Winner, Best Use of AI in Fintech and Banking; Finalist, Best Fintech–Banking Partnership
Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards
Finalist, Most Innovative Startup; Finalist, Startup of the Year
AISA Cyber Security Awards
Finalist, Startup of the Year
Australian AI Awards 2025 (Momentum Media)
AI Innovator – Cyber Security: TBA (5 November); AI Innovator – Consumer Banking: TBA (5 November); AI Academic/Researcher of the Year: TBA (5 November)
ARN Innovation Awards 2025
Finalist, Startup - Entrepreneur; Finalist, Startup – Product
- Trusted by major banks and telcos to block tens of thousands of scam calls daily.
- Proven technology spin-out from Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub.
- Backed by Australia’s Economic Accelerator, OIF Ventures and Investible.
- Powering real-time scam disruption across financial services and communications networks.
About Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub
The Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub is a world-class research and innovation centre dedicated to addressing the most pressing cyber security challenges facing Australia and the world. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, the Hub drives the development of cutting-edge security technologies and policies.
Our multidisciplinary teams of leading researchers work at the forefront of fields like data security, cryptography, trusted computing, and cybercrime prevention. The Hub provides a vital platform for turning groundbreaking research into practical, real-world solutions that protect people, businesses, and critical infrastructure from evolving digital threats.
Hackathon Challenge Tracks
Teams will select a primary track and build an innovative solution using real-world data and challenges from Apate.ai. Teams must consist of 3–6 students and will receive support from Apate and MQ Cyber Security Hub mentors.
Design and deploy AI personas to interact with scammers, gather intelligence, and waste their time.
Build real-time dashboards to visualize scam networks, analyze threat data, and identify disruption opportunities.
Develop models and tools to detect deepfake audio and video in real-time, protecting against sophisticated impersonation scams.
Date
Tuesday 9 December 2025
Time
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Who should apply
Students, researchers, engineers, designers, and anyone curious about applied AI for safety
Organizers
Apate.ai × MQ Cyber Security Hub
Contact
hello@apate.aiWhat’s at Stake
1st Prize
$1,000 + Apate.ai swag pack
2nd Prize
$500 + Apate.ai swag pack
3rd Prize
$300 + Apate.ai swag pack
Additional Incentives
Fast-track internship or interview opportunities with Apate.ai for standout teams.
Public exposure via Apate.ai and MQ Cyber Security Hub social channels and press.
Join the Fight Against Scams
Spaces are limited. Register now to secure your spot.