What are the red flags of this scam?

A caller claims to be police or a bank fraud detective and asks you to withdraw cash at their instruction — police and banks never do this • The caller number looks like a real police or bank number — fraudsters use number spoofing to fake any caller ID • They tell you not to use normal channels to verify because 'the investigation is active' or 'lines are not secure' • You are asked to buy gold sovereigns, premium gift cards, or withdraw cash in a specific amount and wait at home for a courier • They may ask you to press 77 or stay on the line to 'verify' the call — neither of these are real security checks • They warn you not to tell family members because they 'could be suspects' or might 'tip off the insider'

What should I do if this happened to me?

Hang up immediately. Police, banks, and government agencies never call asking you to withdraw cash or hand valuables to a courier. • Wait at least 10 minutes (scammers hold the line) then call back using a different phone or a number from the official website or the back of your card. • Call a trusted family member or friend before doing anything. • If a courier or stranger arrives at your door unexpectedly asking for cash or valuables, do not hand over anything — call 999. • Report to Report Fraud at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

CRITICAL banking Last reported: 2 Oct 2026 Share

"Your bank account is compromised" — a fake police officer or fraud team asks you to withdraw cash for a courier

Q: Is this a scam?

Yes. This is a documented scam pattern. A caller claims to be a police officer or bank fraud detective and says your account has been compromised by an insider. To "secure your funds" they ask you to withdraw a large sum of cash (or buy gold), then hand it to a courier who comes to your door. Losses exceeded £21 million in 2025; over-70s are the primary target.

A caller claims to be a police officer or bank fraud detective and says your account has been compromised by an insider. To "secure your funds" they ask you to withdraw a large sum of cash (or buy gold), then hand it to a courier who comes to your door. Losses exceeded £21 million in 2025; over-70s are the primary target.

Also known as: courier fraud UK, police impersonation scam, cash courier scam, bank fraud detective call, safe account courier scam

Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes

1 Call your bank or card's fraud line right now. Use the number on the back of your card — not any number from the message or caller. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and freeze the account.
2 If you paid by gift card, wire, or an app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App): contact that company immediately and report it as fraud. Acting fast sometimes recovers the money.
3 Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner, the better.

What to do right now

1 Hang up immediately. Police, banks, and government agencies never call asking you to withdraw cash or hand valuables to a courier.
2 Wait at least 10 minutes (scammers hold the line) then call back using a different phone or a number from the official website or the back of your card.
3 Call a trusted family member or friend before doing anything.
4 If a courier or stranger arrives at your door unexpectedly asking for cash or valuables, do not hand over anything — call 999.
5 Report to Report Fraud at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Red flags

⚠ A caller claims to be police or a bank fraud detective and asks you to withdraw cash at their instruction — police and banks never do this
⚠ The caller number looks like a real police or bank number — fraudsters use number spoofing to fake any caller ID
⚠ They tell you not to use normal channels to verify because 'the investigation is active' or 'lines are not secure'
⚠ You are asked to buy gold sovereigns, premium gift cards, or withdraw cash in a specific amount and wait at home for a courier
⚠ They may ask you to press 77 or stay on the line to 'verify' the call — neither of these are real security checks
⚠ They warn you not to tell family members because they 'could be suspects' or might 'tip off the insider'

Known variants

Arrest-claim variant: caller claims a suspect was arrested with the victim's details. Provides a fake case reference number. Call-back spoofing connects the victim to the real force, making the original call seem genuine. Victim is then asked to transfer money rather than hand cash to a courier.

Last seen: 9/16/2026
Postal letter variant: a fake Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope contains a convincing letter purportedly from the victim's bank or the NCA, claiming fraud. It instructs them to call a number and enter card details via an IVR, or to post their card. Banks and police never send letters asking you to key in card details.

Last seen: 9/23/2026
Cryptocurrency targeting variant: caller poses as a police officer claiming the victim's crypto is at risk in an investigation. Fake police websites establish legitimacy. Victim transfers crypto to a scammer-controlled wallet. Three UK men were jailed in July 2026 for £4 million stolen from eight victims this way.

Last seen: 7/16/2026

Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes

What to do right now

Red flags

Known variants

Sources