Impersonation of Foreign Police Call Scam — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated Jul 18, 2026

Severity: Critical | View Full Scam Details

Beware of the 2026 Impersonation of Foreign Police Call Scam Targeting Indians

An alarming new scam in 2026 is tricking Indians, especially NRIs and elderly residents, through fake calls from “foreign police” demanding money via UPI and WhatsApp.

What Is the Impersonation of Foreign Police Call Scam?

This scam involves fraudsters posing as foreign or international police officers calling Indian citizens and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The scammers claim that the victim is under investigation for a serious criminal offence — often alleging involvement in fraud, money laundering, or cybercrime abroad. Scammers use spoofed phone numbers to mimic official international law enforcement agencies, which tricks victims into thinking the threat is real.

Elderly Indians and NRIs living abroad or in India are particularly targeted. Scammers often gather personal details from social media and online forums to create tailored, convincing messages. The scam is reportedly spreading widely across India, with many complaints registered recently with local police cyber cells and central agencies such as I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre).

While there is no single official advisory specifically on “foreign police impersonation” scams, both CERT-In and RBI have repeatedly warned about government impersonation frauds and UPI-related scams. Indian authorities advise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited calls demanding payments or sensitive information.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact - The Call: The victim receives a phone call from a number appearing to be from a foreign police agency. Sometimes, the number looks like it is from an official government source, enhancing credibility.

2. Threat and Intimidation: The caller alleges the victim is involved in a serious crime overseas or is wanted by foreign authorities. They may claim a case is filed that can lead to arrest or deportation.

3. Demand for Money: Victims are instructed to pay a “fine,” “bail bond,” or “legal fees” immediately to avoid further legal action. The payment demand is often in INR via UPI or asks to send money through WhatsApp-linked payment apps.

4. Use of Fear to Secure Cooperation: Scammers insist on secrecy and hurry the victim, sometimes during the call threatening arrest to prevent the victim from checking with family or police.

5. Loss of Funds: Victims transfer money to UPI IDs or accounts controlled by scammers. Some are also asked to share OTPs, Aadhaar details, or bank information under the premise it is “verification.”

6. Continued Exploitation: In some cases, after the initial payment, scammers threaten further action demanding more money or personal data.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Calls from “foreign police” or international-looking numbers without prior notice.
• Threats of arrest or legal action based on vague or unverified accusations.
• Urgency and insistence on secrecy regarding the call or payment.
• Requests to pay via UPI or WhatsApp payments rather than official bank or government channels.
• Demands for personal data such as Aadhaar number or OTP during the call.
• Spoofed phone numbers that look official but are untraceable.
• Pressure to act immediately without time to verify with trusted sources.

What Happens to Victims

Victims can suffer significant financial loss, often transferring thousands or lakhs of INR to scam-controlled accounts. Because payments are made via UPI or WhatsApp, a UPI reversal or refund is nearly impossible once funds leave the victim’s account. Sharing OTPs or Aadhaar details can lead to further identity theft or account takeover, including SIM swapping, resulting in more fraudulent transactions.

The emotional toll is steep—many victims report anxiety, depression, and loss of trust even after police intervention. Families of elderly victims especially find it distressing as they may be estranged or live abroad, complicating the recovery process.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

RBI regularly issues warnings to users not to share OTPs or banking credentials and to be wary of unsolicited calls demanding payments. CERT-In has also listed impersonation scams as a major cyber threat under its advisories on its official portal and encourages reporting such incidents.

For assistance, the Government of India’s 1930 cybercrime helpline provides support in reporting frauds involving UPI and government impersonation scams. RBI’s banking fraud helpline can help victims take immediate action for compromised accounts.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share OTP, PIN, or Aadhaar details on phone calls.
2. Verify the caller by independently contacting official foreign missions or local police—never use the number provided in the suspicious call.
3. Do not rush into making payments over UPI or WhatsApp without confirmation.
4. Use official UPI apps’ fraud reporting features immediately if a suspicious payment is requested.
5. Avoid sharing personal information on social media platforms to limit data available to scammers.
6. Use call-blocking features to reject international or unknown numbers.
7. Stay informed about common scams from CERT-In and RBI advisories.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

1. Immediately block the caller’s number on your phone.
2. Contact your bank and UPI payment app to report the transaction and request blocking/freeze of any suspicious activity.
3. File a complaint on the official cybercrime reporting portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
4. Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline for guidance on next steps.
5. Report the matter to your local police station’s cyber cell with all call and transaction details.
6. Change all online passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the foreign police actually call me for an investigation?
A: Genuine international law enforcement agencies never demand payments over phone calls or WhatsApp. They follow formal diplomatic channels and official legal procedures, not urgent payment requests.

Q: What if I already shared my OTP or Aadhaar details?
A: Immediately inform your bank and block your accounts if possible. Report the incident to police and cert-in/cybercrime helpline to minimize damage and initiate investigation.

Q: How can I verify if a call claiming to be from a foreign police agency is real?
A: Do not rely on the incoming number. Independently contact your country’s foreign ministry, embassy, or local police through official websites and phone numbers for verification.

Stay alert and always verify unexpected calls demanding money or personal info. Use BharatSecure.app to check if a message or call is suspicious, and report fraud to the 1930 helpline immediately.

Disclaimer: This article describes a pattern of fraud reported in public sources for public-safety awareness. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. To request correction or removal of any content, write to hello@bharatsecure.app.