The Police Service of Northern Ireland has issued a public warning after scammers successfully spoofed its official switchboard number to conduct fraud attempts. A victim reported receiving a call on Monday afternoon from what appeared to be the PSNI's legitimate number, with the caller claiming to be a police officer investigating a case involving the recipient. The scammer alleged the victim's name was linked to an investigation concerning money transfers to narcotic-related countries.
During the call, the fraudster requested sensitive banking information and asked the victim to purchase gift cards, claiming the codes were needed as part of the investigation process and that funds would be returned later. Inspector Walker of the PSNI confirmed the suspicious nature of this request, noting that legitimate police investigations never involve gift card purchases. The intended victim became suspicious of the unusual demands and wisely refused to share personal or banking details before blocking the caller.
Phone number spoofing allows criminals to manipulate caller ID systems to display any number they choose, including those belonging to trusted organizations like law enforcement agencies. This technique exploits the public's tendency to trust calls appearing to come from official sources. The PSNI confirmed that its switchboard number was indeed spoofed and that no actual member of the police force initiated the fraudulent call. Authorities are conducting follow-up inquiries but have not yet made any arrests in connection with the attempted fraud.
This incident represents the second major fraud warning issued by the PSNI within two days. On Monday, the force disclosed a separate case involving an elderly woman who lost over £250,000 to a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The criminals convinced her to send increasingly larger amounts and tricked her into downloading malware that gave them control of her devices, enabling further unauthorized transfers. According to the FBI's annual digital crimes report, cryptocurrency investment scams increased by 48 percent in complaints last year, with losses rising 25 percent, particularly affecting individuals aged 60 and over.
The PSNI advises the public never to disclose personal or financial details over the phone, in person, or by email to unknown individuals. Inspector Walker emphasized that guarding personal and banking information is essential. Anyone who falls victim to digital fraud in the UK should immediately contact local police, their bank, and Action Fraud for assistance. Remaining vigilant to unsolicited calls requesting sensitive information or unusual payment methods like gift cards can help prevent falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/06/02/northern-ireland-cops-issue-psa-after-official-phone-number-spoofed-by-scammers/5249999