What to do if you fell for a digital arrest, fake police, or AI voice call scam
Real police and courts never demand secret video calls, transfers, gift cards, crypto, or remote access. Ending the contact and verifying officially are the key first steps.
Quick answer
Real police and courts never demand secret video calls, transfers, gift cards, crypto, or remote access. Ending the contact and verifying officially are the key first steps.
- End the call or chat - you are allowed to hang up.
- Do not transfer money, buy gift cards, send crypto, or grant remote access.
- If you already paid, contact your bank or payment provider immediately.
- Save call logs, numbers, screenshots, and any payment details.
Do this now
Contact your bank immediately if money was sent, and your local police through an official number to verify.
Understanding what happened
'Digital arrest' and fake-police scams use fear and authority - sometimes with AI voice cloning - to pressure people into secret payments or staying on a controlled video call. The pressure is the scam.
Isolation is deliberate: victims are told not to tell anyone 'or face arrest'. Breaking that isolation by telling a trusted person and calling real police is exactly what ends it.
The steps here focus on ending the contact safely, verifying through official channels, protecting your money, and warning others.
First 5 minutes
- End the call or chat - you are allowed to hang up.
- Do not transfer money, buy gift cards, send crypto, or grant remote access.
- If you already paid, contact your bank or payment provider immediately.
- Save call logs, numbers, screenshots, and any payment details.
First 24 hours
- Contact your local police through their official published number to confirm there is no case.
- Warn family members, who may be targeted with the same story.
- Watch for follow-up intimidation or 'case officer' calls.
- Report to your national cybercrime or fraud service.
What not to do
- Do not stay on a video call because someone pressures or threatens you.
- Do not keep the situation secret 'to avoid arrest' - that is part of the script.
- Do not pay a 'verification' or 'clearance' deposit to prove your innocence.
Evidence to save
- Phone numbers, caller names, and any badge or case numbers quoted
- Screenshots of chats, video call details, and payment instructions
- Receipts, amounts, dates, and accounts paid
How to report
Report through official channels for your area.
Find official reporting links for your country in the reporting directory.
- Do not use phone numbers or links from the suspicious message - look up the official ones yourself.
- Report quickly if money was sent or ID documents were shared; speed improves your options.
- Keep your evidence - see how to save scam evidence.
Follow-up 'investigators' or 'recovery officers' are part of the scam. No one can guarantee returning money for an upfront fee.
Stop it happening again
Hang up on anyone claiming you must pay or stay on a call to avoid arrest.
Verify any 'official' contact by calling the organisation's published number yourself.
Agree a rule with family: no secret payments or video calls based on a phone call or message.
This is general educational guidance, not legal or financial advice, and it is not a guarantee. Always verify through official channels.
Frequently asked questions
Can the police arrest me over a video call?
No. Genuine police and courts do not conduct arrests, investigations, or fines over video calls or messaging apps, and never demand secret transfers, gift cards, or crypto.
They knew my personal details - was it real?
Scammers often quote leaked personal data to sound convincing. Knowing your details does not make a demand for secret payment or a video call genuine.