The Boston Police Department is warning community members about an increase in scams involving individuals impersonating law enforcement officers or court officials in an effort to steal money from victims.
In these scams, callers often claim there is a warrant for your arrest, threaten jail time, or state that immediate payment is required to resolve an issue such as missed jury duty. In some cases, scammers have targeted immigrant and foreign student communities by falsely claiming to represent immigration services or law enforcement agencies from a victim’s country of origin and alleging visa problems that can only be resolved through payment.
These scams are typically conducted over the phone. Scammers may provide fake case numbers, badge numbers, or other credentials to appear legitimate. They may also use the names of real law enforcement officers or spoof official phone numbers so the call appears to come from a legitimate agency.
Victims are often pressured to send money immediately through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or, in more recent cases, by purchasing gold bars.
Important Safety Reminders
The Boston Police Department wants residents to remember the following:
• Law enforcement and government agencies will never demand immediate payment over the phone
• No legitimate agency will request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gold
• Caller ID information can be faked and should not be trusted on its own
• Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers, texts, emails, or messages
• Do not click links in unexpected emails, texts, or social media messages
• If contacted by a robocall, do not press any numbers, as this may lead to additional scam calls
If you receive a call claiming to be from law enforcement or a government agency, hang up and contact the agency directly using a phone number you know is legitimate.
If You Were Contacted or Scammed
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by a scam is encouraged to take action immediately. Victims should file a police report at their local Boston Police station.
Additional reporting and assistance is available through the Federal Trade Commission and IdentityTheft.gov, especially if personal information such as a Social Security number may have been compromised.
Stay Alert, Stay Informed
Scammers rely on fear, urgency, and confusion. Taking a moment to slow down, verify information, and speak with a trusted family member or friend can help prevent financial loss.
The Boston Police Department encourages residents to share this information with friends, family members, and neighbors to help protect our community.
You can always report suspicious activity to the Boston Police Department by visiting or calling any Boston Police district, or by calling 911 in an emergency.
Community members who wish to provide information anonymously can do so through the following channels:
📞 Phone: 1-800-494-TIPS (8477)
💬 Text: Text the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463)
🌐 Online: Boston Police CrimeStoppers Website
Photos and videos related to these incidents may also be submitted anonymously. The Boston Police Department assures all individuals that the identities of those who provide information anonymously will be protected.