Fake Police Scams in Chile
Fraudsters impersonating Carabineros or PDI officers threaten Chileans with arrest unless they pay fines immediately via bank transfer or crypto.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Impersonation of Chilean law enforcement — particularly Carabineros de Chile and the PDI (Policía de Investigaciones) — is used to extort money from victims by exploiting fear of arrest or legal consequences. These scams are often conducted by phone, with callers claiming the victim is implicated in a money-laundering or drug-trafficking investigation.
The scammer uses authentic-sounding terminology, badge numbers, and case references, and may play pre-recorded sounds of a police station in the background. Victims are told to pay an immediate 'judicial deposit' via bank transfer to avoid being detained, with the threat that failing to comply will result in officers arriving at their home.
How this scam works on Chile
Calls target both private individuals and business owners. Business owners are told their company accounts are under investigation for tax fraud and must be 'frozen' — they are instructed to transfer their balance to a safe account provided by the fake officer. Individuals may be told a family member has been arrested and needs a bail payment.
Digital variants arrive via WhatsApp with a document bearing official-looking Carabineros or PDI branding, a 'case number,' and a QR code linking to a payment portal. Some fraudsters use spoofed phone numbers that display as official emergency or government lines on caller ID.
Mule accounts receiving the transferred funds are often held by unwitting third parties recruited via fake employment ads, making tracing difficult.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call from someone claiming to be Carabineros or PDI demanding immediate payment
- Request to pay a 'judicial deposit' or 'bail' via bank transfer or crypto
- Caller instructs you not to hang up and speak to anyone else while arranging payment
- Official-looking documents sent via WhatsApp with QR codes linking to payment portals
- Caller ID shows an official-looking number — Chilean law enforcement never demands money by phone
- Extreme time pressure combined with threats of immediate arrest
How to protect yourself
- Hang up immediately — real Chilean law enforcement never demands payment by phone
- Call Carabineros on 133 or PDI on 134 from a different device to verify any claimed investigation
- Do not share bank details, RUT, or personal information with unverified callers
- Warn elderly parents or grandparents, who are disproportionately targeted
- Enable caller ID spoofing alerts on your mobile carrier if available
- Do not follow instructions to transfer funds to an 'official safe account'
How to report it
- Report directly to the PDI at pdichile.cl or call 134 to report the impersonation
- Notify Carabineros at 133 if the scammer impersonated Carabineros specifically
- Report spoofed calls to SUBTEL (Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones) at subtel.gob.cl
Frequently asked questions
Does the PDI ever contact citizens to request payments?
No. Neither the PDI nor Carabineros will ever contact you to demand payment over the phone. Any such call is a scam regardless of how authentic the caller sounds or what documents they send.