Police warn of spoofed 'police' calls aimed at crypto recovery phrases
Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police say callers posing as officers are using spoofed numbers to try to obtain crypto details or payments. Most people spotted the scam.
In short
- What happened?
- According to ITV News Granada, Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police report a surge of calls from fraudsters posing as police, using spoofed numbers to seek crypto recovery phrases, codes or payments.
- What was the warning sign?
- An unexpected call that appears to be from the police and asks for crypto recovery phrases, security codes or a money transfer.
- What can you do?
- Ask for ID and check the call yourself via 101, as the police advise. Never share recovery phrases or codes, and never move money because a caller asks.
What happened
According to ITV News Granada, Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police have reported a surge in calls from fraudsters pretending to be police officers or cyber crime specialists. This article is based on a summary of that report, so some detail may be missing.
The forces said the callers use caller ID spoofing, which makes the call appear to come from the Merseyside Police switchboard. They also give fake officer names, collar numbers and crime references to sound convincing.
The callers reportedly say a suspect has been arrested with the victim's ID or bank details, or that the victim's crypto accounts have been compromised. They then try to obtain crypto account IDs, recovery phrases and security codes, or to get the victim to make a payment.
According to the report, most people who received the calls recognised them as a scam. One victim did transfer a significant sum.
Warning signs
- A call that appears to come from a police number but is unexpected.
- A caller who quotes officer names, collar numbers or crime references to prove who they are.
- A claim that someone was arrested with your ID or bank details, or that your crypto accounts are compromised.
- Requests for account IDs, recovery phrases or security codes.
- Any request to move money or make a payment.
What families can do
- Ask the caller for identification, and be wary if they push back or hurry you.
- Verify the call by contacting the police yourself on 101, as the forces advise, rather than using a number the caller gives you.
- Never share recovery phrases or security codes with anyone who contacts you.
- Never move money because a caller asks you to.
- Talk it over with a family member before acting, and report the call to the police or your bank.
A number on the screen can be faked, so it is not proof of who is calling. QuietGuard's call protection lets only trusted contacts ring while it is on, with other calls logged silently in a quiet log you can check later. That can reduce unexpected calls, but it does not replace verifying a caller yourself or talking to family.
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