Fake Interpol Red Notice Scam
Criminals impersonate Interpol, claiming a victim is the subject of an international Red Notice for serious crimes, in order to extort payment or personal information to have it 'withdrawn'.
Part of: Fake Interpol Red Notice Scam
Last reviewed: 14 July 2026
Interpol's status as the world's best-known international policing organization gives its name unusual weight in a scam, even though very few members of the public ever have genuine contact with it. A caller or emailed document claiming to represent Interpol tells the victim they are the subject of a Red Notice — the closest thing Interpol issues to an international wanted alert — for a serious crime such as fraud, trafficking, or terrorism financing, exploiting the fear that this creates.
In reality, Interpol does not contact private individuals directly to notify them of a Red Notice, does not request payment to withdraw one, and Red Notices themselves are issued at the request of member countries' national police forces through formal legal channels, not communicated to the subject by a random phone call or unsolicited email.
How this scam works on the Interpol brand
The scam frequently begins with an email containing a fabricated document styled to look like an official Interpol Red Notice, complete with a case number, official-looking letterhead, and a photograph or description matching the victim. This is often followed by a phone call from someone claiming to be an Interpol agent or a lawyer representing Interpol, who explains the notice can be 'withdrawn' or 'resolved' if the victim pays a fee or provides sensitive personal and financial information for 'verification.'
The caller may reference the victim's actual travel history, a past business dispute, or an unrelated online argument, framing it as the source of the alleged Red Notice, which lends false plausibility since some detail in the story might be genuinely true even though the notice itself is entirely fabricated.
Victims who resist are sometimes threatened with imminent arrest at the border or informed that local police have already been notified, escalating pressure until a payment is made via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or another method the scammer controls.
Common red flags
- You receive an email or document claiming to be an official Interpol Red Notice naming you as a wanted subject
- A caller claiming to represent Interpol offers to have the notice 'withdrawn' or 'resolved' for a fee
- You are asked to provide sensitive personal or financial information to 'verify' your identity in relation to the notice
- The claim references a real but unrelated past dispute or travel history to add false credibility
- You are threatened with imminent arrest or told local police have already been notified unless you pay immediately
- The document or email cannot be verified through Interpol's own official channels
How to protect yourself
- Do not respond to or pay anyone who contacts you directly claiming to represent Interpol about a Red Notice
- Understand that Interpol does not contact private individuals to notify them of a Red Notice or request payment to withdraw one
- Verify any claim by contacting your national police force or a licensed immigration lawyer directly, not through contact details the caller provided
- Never send payment or share financial and identity details based on an unsolicited claim about a Red Notice
- Treat any emailed 'Red Notice' document with skepticism, since these are easy to fabricate using publicly available formatting templates
- Consult a licensed lawyer if you have genuine concerns about your legal status, rather than engaging directly with the caller
How to report it
- Report to your national cybercrime reporting portal or police cybercrime unit
- File a complaint with the FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov) in the US, Action Fraud in the UK, or your country's equivalent
- Contact your bank immediately if you sent a payment, to ask about a transfer recall or fraud hold
- Report suspected misuse of Interpol's name through Interpol's official website, which lists guidance on Red Notice scams
Frequently asked questions
Does Interpol really contact people directly about a Red Notice?
No. Interpol does not notify individuals directly about a Red Notice, and it does not request payment to withdraw one. Red Notices are requested by a member country's national police through formal legal channels, and any personal outreach demanding money is fraudulent.
The document looked official with a case number and letterhead — how do I know it's fake?
Fabricated documents with convincing letterhead, logos, and case numbers are easy to produce and are a standard part of this scam. A document's appearance alone is not verification — check with your national police force or a licensed lawyer rather than trusting the document itself.
Can I get my money back if I already paid to have a fake Red Notice withdrawn?
Recovery may depend on the payment method and timing — contact your bank immediately to ask about a transfer recall, and file a report with your national cybercrime unit as soon as possible, since faster reporting improves the small chance of intercepting funds before they are moved further.
Should I be worried this could affect my ability to travel?
A scam call or fabricated document has no actual effect on your real legal or travel status. If you have genuine concerns, consult a licensed immigration or criminal lawyer directly, and verify any claim through your national police force rather than the person who contacted you.