Fake Police Scams in Israel
Phone and online scams impersonating Israeli Police or the Anti-Money Laundering Authority to extort residents.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Government and police impersonation fraud operates in Israel primarily via phone, with callers claiming to represent the Israeli Police, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (IMPA), or the National Fraud Investigation Unit. Victims are told their accounts are under investigation and they must transfer funds to a secure account to protect their money or to pay a settlement before charges are filed.
Elders are disproportionately targeted, and some operations run in Hebrew, Russian, and Arabic to reach different segments of the Israeli population.
How this scam works on Israel
A victim receives a call from a number spoofed to display a police non-emergency prefix. The caller explains that the victim's bank account has been flagged in a money-laundering investigation and they must withdraw cash or transfer funds to a safe government account to prevent seizure by criminals.
A second caller joins the call posing as a bank compliance officer, corroborating the story and advising the victim to follow the police officer's instructions. The victim is instructed not to discuss the matter with family or colleagues.
In online variants, an email or pop-up warning claims to be from the Israeli National Police Cybercrime Unit, stating the computer has been locked for security reasons and a fee must be paid to restore access.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming your account is linked to a criminal investigation
- Instruction to transfer savings to a safe police or government account
- Second caller corroborating the story from a different number
- Warning not to tell anyone, including bank staff, about the matter
- Browser pop-up claiming to be from Israeli Police demanding a fine
- Pressure to act before end of business day to avoid arrest
How to protect yourself
- Know that Israeli Police never request fund transfers by phone
- Hang up and call Israeli Police non-emergency line 100 to verify any claim
- Tell a trusted family member or colleague immediately — secrecy is always a scam signal
- Do not follow instructions received by phone to visit an ATM or make a transfer
- Verify any banking-related concern by calling your bank directly using the number on your card
- Report the scam number to the Israeli Police cyber unit
How to report it
- Call Israeli Police 100 to report police impersonation
- Report to the Israel National Cyber Directorate at gov.il
- File with the IMPA at impa.gov.il if the Anti-Money Laundering Authority name was misused
Frequently asked questions
Does Israeli Police ever request bank transfers by phone?
Never. Israeli Police conducting a financial investigation follow formal legal procedures involving written notices and court orders. No enforcement step involves a phone caller requesting a voluntary bank transfer. Any such call is fraudulent.