“You have committed a crime” scams
This scam works like this.
Step 1
You are contacted by:
- Someone who says they are an official – (for example from your embassy, or from the police in the country where you are studying). They say that there is evidence that you are involved in a crime, OR
- A postal or courier service who says that a package for you has been seized and the matter must be reported to police. The caller offers to connect you with the ‘police’.
Step 2
A fake police officer comes on to the call and says that your name is connected to the investigation of a serious criminal offence – for example money laundering.
They may tell you to keep the information secret so that you do not get in to more trouble.
Step 3
The fake police officer tells you to:
- transfer any money you have in your account to another account that they nominate so that the investigation can continue. The scammer says that the money will be returned within a short time, or
- to transfer ‘bail money’ to an account to avoid being deported to face trial in your home country.
Step 4
If you transfer the money, the scammers will withdraw it from their account immediately, and possibly also close the account. Your money can’t be recovered.