Fake Police Scams in Honduras
How fraudsters impersonating police officers in Honduras extort money from residents under threat of arrest or prosecution.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake police scams involve criminals who impersonate law enforcement officers — by phone, in person, or via messaging apps — to intimidate victims into paying money. In Honduras, where citizens may have complicated relationships with law enforcement institutions, the threat of police involvement can be a powerful lever of fear.
Victims are told they or a family member is under investigation for a serious offence and that payment can resolve the matter quietly. The amounts demanded can be significant, and repeat payments are common once a victim has paid once.
How this scam works on Honduras
A Honduran resident receives a call from someone claiming to be a police officer or prosecutor. They claim the recipient's relative has been arrested or that the recipient themselves is implicated in a crime — drug trafficking, financial fraud, or similar. Payment is required to secure release or to close the investigation.
In some cases, the scammer has research on the victim — a name, workplace, or neighbourhood — obtained from social media. This detail lends credibility. Callers use pressure and urgency: the situation will worsen if the victim consults anyone else before paying.
In-person variants involve scammers in fake uniforms stopping people in public, particularly in isolated areas, and demanding money or items of value.
Common red flags
- Unexpected call claiming a family member has been arrested and needs money for release
- Caller insists you must not tell anyone else or the situation will worsen
- Payment required in cash, gift cards, or mobile money — not through official judicial processes
- Specific threats tied to details the caller appears to know about you or your family
- Caller becomes aggressive or threatening if payment is questioned
How to protect yourself
- Hang up and call the relevant police station directly using a publicly listed number to verify any claimed arrest
- Legitimate law enforcement processes in Honduras involve official documentation, not phone payments
- Never pay money over the phone to anyone claiming to be a police officer
- Tell a trusted family member or community leader immediately if you receive such a call
- Report the incident even if no money was paid — your report may protect others
How to report it
- Report to the Secretaria de Seguridad (National Police) directly using the official complaint channel
- File a report with the DPI about phone-based impersonation
- If the impersonator was in uniform, report to the Internal Affairs unit of the National Police
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if someone in Honduras claims my family member was arrested and demands money?
Do not pay and do not panic. Hang up and contact your family member directly using a number you already have. If you cannot reach them, call the police station in the relevant area using the publicly listed number. Real arrests produce official documentation and go through judicial processes — no legitimate arrest is resolved by a phone payment.