The AFP has arrested a 19-year-old Sydney man for using stolen Optus data to blackmail customers as part of Operation Guardian, which investigated a scam text asking victims to transfer money into a CBA bank account.

The SMS scam allegedly attempted to obtain $2,000 from those who received the text, threatening the release of their data.

“These are serious charges and the offender is now facing up to 10 years imprisonment... there is no tolerance for the criminal use of this data,” AFP assistant commissioner Justine Gough tells reporters.

“The AFP and their partners are working around the clock to protect your information.”

Gough says the alleged offender took the data from the 10,200 personal details that were posted online by another person. Operation Hurricane, the investigation into the hacker who stole the Optus data, is continuing.

Gough says nobody fell victim to the blackmail attempt.