Morningside Records 885 Offences as Crime Stoppers Warns Queenslanders About Money Trap Scams

Morningside residents are being encouraged to stay vigilant after new Queensland Police data revealed 885 offences were recorded in the suburb over the past year, while Crime Stoppers Queensland has launched a campaign warning organised crime groups are targeting everyday Australians through fake job offers.



According to the Queensland Police Service crime map, which covers the period 23 July 2025 to 22 July 2026, the largest reported offence category in Morningside was other theft (excluding unlawful entry) with 300 incidents, followed by 141 drug offences and 72 property damage offences.

Theft Remains Morningside’s Largest Reported Offence Category

The latest police data shows theft accounted for around one-third of all reported offences in Morningside during the 12-month reporting period.

Other reported offence categories included:

  • 68 traffic and related offences
  • 63 good order offences
  • 57 assaults
  • 55 unlawful entries
  • 30 unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences
  • 26 fraud offences
  • 15 handling stolen goods offences
  • 14 offences against the person
  • 14 trespassing and vagrancy offences
  • 12 weapons act offences
  • 7 miscellaneous offences
  • 5 arson offences
  • 4 robbery offences
  • 2 liquor offences (excluding drunkenness)
Photo Credit: QPS Online Crime Map

Crime statistics provide a snapshot of reported incidents and can help residents better understand local trends. They can also encourage practical steps to improve home, vehicle and personal security.

Statewide Campaign Highlights Organised Crime Recruitment Tactics

Separately, Crime Stoppers Queensland has launched its new Money Trap campaign to raise awareness of how organised crime groups recruit unsuspecting people to help move criminal funds.

Photo Credit: Crime Stoppers Queensland

The Australian Government-funded campaign warns that criminals are increasingly using fake job advertisements, social media messages and promises of easy money to convince people to receive or transfer money through their personal bank accounts.

Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO David Hansen said many of these approaches appear legitimate, making it easier for people to become involved in criminal activity without fully understanding the consequences.

“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.

Photo Credit: Crime Stoppers Queensland

While the campaign has a particular focus on helping protect international students and temporary visa holders from exploitation, Mr Hansen said anyone could be approached.

“Anyone can be approached with a money trap,” he said.

“These approaches are designed to look genuine, which is why awareness is our strongest defence.”

Recognising the Warning Signs Can Help Prevent Crime

Crime Stoppers is urging Queenslanders to be cautious of:

  • Unsolicited job offers promising easy money.
  • Requests to receive or transfer money through a personal bank account.
  • Requests to share banking details or allow someone else to use their account.
  • Pressure to act quickly or keep financial arrangements secret.
Photo Credit: Crime Stoppers Queensland

Mr Hansen said learning to recognise these warning signs, discussing them with family and friends, and reporting suspicious activity anonymously could make it harder for organised crime groups to operate.

Residents with information about suspicious criminal activity can report it anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.



While Morningside’s latest police figures show theft, drug offences and property damage were among the suburb’s most frequently reported offences over the past year, the Money Trap campaign also highlights the growing sophistication of organised crime recruitment. By staying informed about both local crime trends and common scam tactics, residents can play an important role in protecting themselves and the wider community.

Published 23-July-2026

Recent Morningside Mural Leaves Passers-by Baffled and Amazed

Drive along early in the morning at the eastern side of the Cleveland Rail Bridge. There’s a really interesting mural that emerged recently in that part of Morningside. It’s strangely eye-catching that it’s guaranteed to wake you up! It seems to have been spray-painted by a Griffith University PhD student from Thailand with an award-winning portfolio.

“I was going through Morningside just the other day when something incredible caught my eye. … Looks like a huge mural full of incredible dancing figures! Where did it come from? And who painted it? Are we being invaded? Should I get my palm read?” said ABC Radio’s audio report. Indeed, the interesting new mural leaves every passersby baffled and awed.

The eye-catching mural is said to have been there for only a couple of weeks now. It’s apparently “so new” that a lot of people has no idea yet of its existence. They tracked the artist down for some much-needed answers.

Apparently, the huge artwork “seeks to physically harmonise passers-by with the environment around them.” So, who painted it and how did it come to be? Find out the amusing story of the brave and talented artist who was almost arrested for creating this masterpiece of a street art.

Click here to know more.