Government impersonation scams
Government-impersonation scams pose as police, tax, customs, or immigration officials, using threats of arrest or penalties to force payment or secrecy. 'Digital arrest' scams keep victims on long video calls to isolate them.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15.
How these scams usually work
These scams open with an official-sounding contact, a recorded call, a text, or a person claiming to be from the police, tax office, customs, or immigration. They state that you owe money, have missed a payment, or are linked to a crime, and that arrest or a penalty follows unless you act now. Victims are told to keep it secret and, in 'digital arrest' versions, to stay on a long video call while they 'cooperate'. The isolation and fear are the tools; the demand is always money or sensitive details. Real authorities do not work this way.
What the scammers want
- Transfers to 'clear your name'
- Fear and isolation
- Personal details
Common red flags
What to do
- Hang up or leave the call.
- Tell someone you trust.
- Contact the real authority officially.
What not to do
- Do not stay on the call.
- Do not keep it secret.
- Do not transfer money to prove innocence.
Common scam messages in this category
Top scam types
Related trend reports
- Scam Trends in 2025: AI-Assisted Fraud, Government Imposters and Digital Arrests
- Scam Trends in 2026: AI-Driven, Emotion-Engineered and Multi-Channel Fraud
If you were affected
See our recovery guides and report through official channels via the reporting directory. Be wary of anyone offering to recover lost money for an upfront fee.
Official sources checked
- NITI Aayog - Digital Arrest: The Modern-Day Cyber Scam - High reliability
- FTC Consumer Advice - Imposter scams - High reliability
- FBI IC3 - Senior US officials impersonated in malicious messaging campaign (2025) - High reliability
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Check a messageFrequently asked questions
Do police arrest people over video calls?
No. There is no such thing as a 'digital arrest'. Anyone demanding money or secrecy over a video call is a scammer.
A caller said I'd be arrested unless I paid immediately - is this real?
No. Genuine agencies do not demand instant payment by phone or threaten on-the-spot arrest. Hang up and contact the agency through its official published number.
Why do these scams tell you to keep quiet?
Secrecy stops you checking with family, your bank, or the real agency, who would quickly recognise the scam, so a demand for secrecy is itself a warning sign.