Fake Police Scams in Pakistan
How fraudsters impersonating Pakistani law enforcement frighten residents into paying false fines or revealing banking credentials.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake police calls are a growing fraud category in Pakistan, where callers impersonate officers from the local police, FIA, or NAB (National Accountability Bureau) to intimidate residents into paying fabricated fines or compliance fees. The exploitation of real institutional names and the fear associated with law enforcement makes these calls highly effective at producing rapid compliance.
Caller ID spoofing allows numbers to appear as official police stations or government departments, and scammers use accurate-sounding case reference numbers and formal language to appear authentic.
How this scam works on Pakistan
A typical call informs the victim that their phone number, CNIC, or bank account has been associated with illegal activity — drug trafficking, money laundering, or terrorism financing — and that they must pay a 'clearance fee' to avoid arrest. The victim is told to transfer funds immediately to a 'police safe account.'
Elaborated versions involve multiple callers: a police officer, a 'senior officer,' and sometimes a fake lawyer who advises the victim to cooperate quickly to avoid more serious charges. The psychological pressure of multiple authoritative voices is deliberately overwhelming.
In Pakistan, variants have also included NAB-themed calls threatening accountability proceedings against business owners unless a settlement is paid.
Common red flags
- Call from someone claiming to be police or NAB about an investigation involving your accounts
- Instruction to transfer money immediately to a 'secure government account' or pay a fine by bank transfer
- Pressure not to call anyone or hang up — framed as protecting an active investigation
- Caller knows your name, CNIC number, or bank name but asks for further confirmation of details
- Urgency: 'You must pay within the next hour or an arrest warrant will be issued'
How to protect yourself
- Know that genuine Pakistani police, FIA, and NAB never collect payments over the phone
- Hang up and call your local police station directly using a number from the official website
- Never provide banking credentials, OTPs, or account details over an inbound phone call
- Alert elderly family members who are disproportionately targeted by these calls
How to report it
- Call the Pakistan Police emergency number 15 to report the impersonation
- Report to the FIA Cybercrime Wing at nia.gov.pk if FIA branding was used in the scam
- Contact your bank immediately if any transfer was made and request an urgent freeze
Frequently asked questions
Will Pakistani police ever call me to collect a fine or fee over the phone?
No. Legitimate law enforcement agencies in Pakistan do not collect payments by phone. Official fines are issued through formal written notices and paid through designated government channels. Any call requesting immediate phone-based payment to avoid arrest is fraudulent. Hang up and verify by calling the relevant agency directly using publicly listed numbers.