Fake Police Scams in Peru
Scammers impersonating PNP officers or judges contact Peruvians demanding immediate payments to avoid arrest warrants, often targeting the elderly.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Telephone fraud involving impersonation of Policía Nacional del Perú (PNP) officers, prosecutors, or judges is one of the most reported scam types to Peruvian consumer protection authorities. The schemes combine fear with urgency to override the victim's critical thinking, typically targeting elderly Peruvians or family members of people known to have legal matters pending.
A related variant — the 'virtual kidnapping' call — tells a family member that a loved one has been arrested or had an accident and requires an immediate cash payment for bail or medical expenses. This has caused significant distress and financial loss across Peru.
How this scam works on Peru
A caller claiming to be a PNP officer or representative of the Ministerio Público tells the victim they or a family member are implicated in a drug trafficking, corruption, or accident case. To avoid arrest or to secure release, a payment of S/. 2,000–30,000 must be made immediately by bank transfer, Yape, or cash delivery to an agent who will arrive at the house.
The 'virtual kidnapping' variant is particularly effective: a scammer calls claiming a family member has been arrested and puts a distressed voice on the line (sometimes a real crying person recruited for the call). The victim is told not to hang up under any circumstances while arranging payment — isolation and time pressure prevent the victim from independently verifying.
Calls use spoofed numbers that appear to originate from official PNP or court phone lines. Some operations have inside knowledge of local news to reference specific incidents and appear credible.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call demanding payment to avoid your own or a family member's arrest
- Caller instructs you to stay on the line and not contact anyone else
- Payment requested via bank transfer, Yape, or cash to a person visiting your home
- Caller ID shows an official-looking number but the call involves financial demands
- Distressed voice claiming to be a family member on the same call
- Extreme urgency: you have only minutes to act or a warrant will be executed
How to protect yourself
- Hang up and call the family member directly on their known number to verify any arrest claim
- Call the PNP emergency line (105) from a different device to verify any claim
- Establish a family code word to use in genuine emergency situations
- Never allow an unknown person to enter your home to collect cash
- Teach elderly relatives that police never demand payment by phone
- Preserve the incoming number and report it to DIDAT
How to report it
- Report to the PNP at 105 or via the Plataforma del Estado Peruano at gob.pe
- File a complaint with DIDAT (PNP cybercrime unit)
- Report spoofed numbers to OSIPTEL at osiptel.gob.pe
Frequently asked questions
Will the PNP come to my house if I do not pay the demanded fine?
Legitimate law enforcement does not contact citizens by phone to demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. Any such call is a scam. Hang up and independently verify through official channels.