Digital arrest and law enforcement scams are types of scams where scammers use artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes and forged documents, such as fake arrest warrants or court orders, to impersonate government officials or law enforcement officers. These scammers may try to hold their victims digitally captive on video calls and intimidate or threaten them into paying immediate fines in order to resolve fake criminal investigations.
Specifically, a digital arrest scam occurs when a scammer impersonates a law enforcement or government official, falsely claiming the victim is under a digital arrest warrant for a severe crime, for example, drug trafficking or money laundering. The scammer will then demand the victim provide funds to allegedly clear their name.
It is very important for individuals to be aware that law enforcement agencies generally will not ask for payment over the phone, in an email, or in a video call in that manner. There are some specific warning signs of these types of scams, which will be discussed in the following sections.
What Are Some Common Forms of Digital Arrest Scams?
There are several different types of digital arrest scams that individuals may attempt to perpetrate on members of the public, including:
- Fake Investigations: A scammer may allege that someone’s identity has been used in an illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, a missed court date, or money laundering, in an attempt to create panic.
- Video Call Impersonations: Scammers may engage in video calls wearing a fake official uniform and sitting in a stated room that mimics a government office or a police station.
- Fake Warrants or Notices: A victim may receive a fake court summons, a false arrest warrant, or other document, such as a jury duty scam, search warrant and warrant of arrest.
- Digital Confinement: A scammer may require a victim to remain on a video or phone call and forbid them from contacting family members, an attorney, or law enforcement until their demands are met.
- Extortion for Clearance: A victim is pressured into transferring money immediately, providing remote access to devices, or sharing one-time passwords in order to clear their name or arrest records.
What Are the Legal Consequences for Digital Arrest Scams?
A digital arrest scam is considered a very serious offense around the world. Depending on the facts and the jurisdiction, these scams can be prosecuted under wire fraud, extortion, and identity theft laws.
Perpetrators of these scams can face severe penalties, such as federal prison sentences and substantial criminal fines. Because these scams may also involve overseas networks that use spoofed caller IDs and fake arrest warrants, a scammer may also face international extradition and money laundering charges, again depending on the type of case. Additionally, individuals whose personal bank accounts are used for transferring stolen funds, referred to as mule accounts, may be criminally charged as accomplices.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Digital Arrest Threat?
If someone receives a digital arrest threat, they should disconnect the phone or video call or delete the message immediately. It is important to be aware that there is no such legal process as a digital arrest.
A law enforcement agency will not threaten, investigate, or issue an arrest warrant using a video call, email, or app such as WhatsApp. An individual should never transfer any money, share passwords or one-time passwords.
If, unfortunately, a victim has already engaged with a scammer or they suspect they are being targeted by a scam, there are some steps they can take, including:
- Documenting the Evidence: An individual should screenshot any messages and save call recordings.
- It is also important to record the phone number or caller ID that was used.
- Filing a Local Report: A victim should report any incident to their local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.
- Freezing Their Finances: If a victim shared their financial information or made a money transfer, they should immediately contact their bank and freeze their accounts to stop any further transactions.
- Reporting the Scam to Federal Authorities: A victim should file a complaint online with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and report criminal fraud with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
If an individual or someone they know is dealing with a digital arrest scam, they should immediately report the incident so that the proper authorities can trace the funds.
How Can I Avoid Being a Victim of a Digital Arrest Scam?
The most important thing individuals can be aware of to avoid being victims of digital arrest scams is that law enforcement or government agencies will never demand immediate payment over the phone or handle arrests over video calls. If an individual wants to verify any claims, they should consult with their local law enforcement agency or visit their local law enforcement precinct directly instead of responding to an unsolicited caller.
It can be helpful to create a safe word with friends and family so that their identity can be immediately verified during any urgent or unexpected phone calls. It is also important for an individual never to click on any unexpected texts or emails, such as bank alerts. Instead, they should navigate directly to the official business website or use the official phone number.
An individual should not provide payment to any entity unless they have verified the source. As previously noted, law enforcement agencies will not request payment over the phone, email, or a video call.
If an individual receives any type of request for personal information, such as their financial information, passwords, or Social Security number, they should be suspicious. In these situations, they should independently navigate to the official business website or call them directly.
An individual should also be highly suspicious of any requests to purchase gold, withdraw cash, or send cryptocurrency to any stranger, entity, or newly created allegedly safe account. This type of activity can cause them to be treated as a money mule and face their own criminal charges.
There are also certain things individuals can watch out for to avoid digital arrest scams, including:
- Demands for Funds: The scammer will pressure the victim into transferring funds to an alleged secure government account for verification or bail, or the scammer may demand payment in cryptocurrency.
- Stages Environments: A scammer will often use a video app, such as Skype or WhatsApp, while wearing a fake uniform and sitting in a fake office.
- Isolation: The victim will likely be instructed not to contact their family, friends, or local authorities so they will not be able to verify the claim.
How to Report a Scam and Protect Yourself from Digital Arrest Attacks
If an individual is involved in a digital arrest attack scam, they should immediately file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3. They should also report the scam to the FTC.
If the victim suffered a financial loss, they should contact their financial institution to dispute the charges as well as to freeze their accounts. A victim can also report the incident to local law enforcement.
How Can an Attorney Help Me if I’ve Been Scammed?
An attorney can help in many different ways when someone has been a victim of a digital arrest scam. They can help a client recover their stolen funds and protect their legal rights. An attorney can help send demand letters, freeze accounts, trace digital assets, and assist with reporting procedures.
Attorneys can work with asset recovery specialists to trace cryptocurrency and wire transfers and work with banks across state and international borders. Lawyers can also work with financial institutions to freeze assets and dispute transactions.
Since communicating with law enforcement and reporting to the federal government may be overwhelming for someone without experience, a lawyer will help with both to ensure everything is properly documented. In addition, an attorney will provide tips for avoiding future victimization.
An attorney can also help answer important questions clients may have related to law enforcement scams, including what to do if you are arrested, an individual’s right to resist unlawful arrest, and the potential for resisting arrest charges. There are certain important amendments for law enforcement and digital arrest scammers will often ignore and break the rules law enforcement typically must follow.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for Help with a Digital Arrest Scam Issue?
Yes, it is very important to have assistance from a criminal fraud lawyer for any issues related to a digital arrest scam. This is especially true when someone has suffered substantial financial losses, they need help recovering assets, or they were coerced into participating or compromising their own identity.
An attorney can help prove that you were not a willing money mule and that you were the victim of a scam. Your lawyer can also help work with law enforcement authorities and banks to make sure everything is reported properly so you can have the best chance at recovering what you lost.
Get started today by finding a criminal lawyer in your area using the no-cost lawyer matching services provided by LegalMatch so you can resolve your digital arrest scam issues as soon as possible. The aftermath of these types of scams can be overwhelming, and LegalMatch is here to help.
