Fake Police Scams in Belgium
Fraudsters impersonate Belgian Federal Police or local police zones to extort EUR payments or steal itsme credentials under threat of arrest.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Police impersonation fraud is an active threat in Belgium, targeting both French- and Dutch-speaking residents. Callers claim to be from the Police Fédérale / Federale Politie, alleging involvement in a crime or warning that the victim's bank account has been compromised by a criminal network — requiring urgent transfer of funds to a 'police security account'.
CCB (Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium) and the Federal Police both issue public warnings about this fraud type. Elderly residents are the most frequent victims, but working-age Belgians are also targeted.
How this scam works on Belgium
A call arrives on a spoofed number appearing to match the Belgian Federal Police or local police zone. The caller claims in French or Dutch that the victim's bank is compromised by internal fraud, and that funds must be moved to a 'secure police account' immediately.
Alternatively, the caller accuses the victim of a financial crime, offering to 'settle' the matter discreetly by payment. They insist the victim tell no one — including their bank — until the transfer is complete.
A second caller posing as a 'bank security officer' may corroborate the story, increasing pressure.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming your bank account is compromised by a criminal network
- Request to transfer EUR to a numbered 'police security account'
- Caller insists you act immediately and tell no one
- Caller ID appears to match official police numbers — Belgian police never call for cash
- Co-caller posing as bank security officer corroborates story
- Threat of immediate arrest or asset freeze if you refuse to act
How to protect yourself
- Hang up immediately — Belgian police never call for bank transfers
- Call the Federal Police directly at 0800 30 300 to verify any claim
- Tell a trusted family member or friend before taking any action
- Never initiate a bank transfer on the instructions of a phone caller
- Contact CCB at safeonweb.be or [email protected] to report the call
- Alert elderly relatives about this specific fraud pattern
How to report it
- Report to Federal Police at polfed.be
- Forward suspicious contact to [email protected]
- Call 101 (police emergency) or 0800 30 300 if threatened
Frequently asked questions
Will Belgian police ever ask me to transfer money to a secure account?
Never. Belgian police have no mechanism for personal bank-account fund transfers. This request is always a scam, regardless of how official the caller sounds.