Police Impersonation Fraud

Dear Resident,

Police Impersonation Fraud

We have been informed by Humberside Police that the North East Lincolnshire area has been targeted by fraudsters that are impersonating police officers.  The victim is contacted via telephone by the MET Police (fake), who explain the MET has someone in custody and they need urgent details from the victim. The fraudster will sound very convincing on the telephone. The fraudster may tell the victim that their details, including passports, crypto details, and driving licence, have been stolen. The MET officer may even tell the victim to attend an appointment at the local Grimsby police station.

Victims may receive several calls from different fraudsters, including fake crypto companies, who call to help reset the victim’s crypto wallet for safety. All these calls are part of one fraud, and the aim is to obtain as much personal information from the victim as they can and/or gain access to the victim’s crypto accounts or bank accounts.

We have had reports of this taking place in the North East Lincolnshire area, but it could happen in any area covered by Humberside Police.

Message from Humberside Police:

Police officers will never contact you on the telephone and ask for help with any investigation which involves you giving out your bank details, crypto details or withdrawing money.   

Take your time to consider what is being asked by you and if you have any concerns, always hang up, ensure the other person has cleared, or use a different phone to call 101 or 999.

Reporting and Support

If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.

Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.

You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.

You can download the relevant leaflets and watch a video about this type of fraud on the FraudWatch website here: https://www.fraudwatch.org.uk/2025/06/19/trigger-fraud-alert-27/.