Can police ask me to hand over my cash or valuables to protect them from fraud?
No. Police officers do not collect cash or valuables from members of the public as a fraud-protection measure. This request is a scam known as a police impersonation fraud.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Genuine police forces investigate fraud; they do not ask you to withdraw large sums of cash or hand over jewellery so they can 'keep it safe' during an ongoing operation. Police never request that you keep an investigation secret from family or other officers. The entire premise — that giving your valuables to a stranger protects them — is designed to exploit trust in authority.
This scam frequently targets older adults. The caller claims to be a detective investigating corrupt bank employees or counterfeit currency, and insists that you must not tell branch staff the real reason for a withdrawal. They may send a courier to your door to collect the cash or ask you to leave it in an agreed location.
Police will never ask you to test marked notes by depositing them in your own account, never request you to participate in a covert sting by handing over your savings, and never tell you to distrust other official services. Real undercover operations do not recruit random members of the public by cold calling.
If you receive such a call, hang up and dial your local emergency or non-emergency police number from a different phone or after waiting several minutes, because fraudsters sometimes stay on the line to intercept your call.
Common red flags
- Caller claims to be a detective or senior police officer
- Asks you to withdraw cash or gather jewellery for safekeeping
- Tells you not to tell bank staff or family why you are withdrawing money
- Says a courier will collect items from your home
- Insists the operation is top secret and you must not verify the call
- Provides a badge number but refuses to confirm it through official channels
What to do now
- Hang up immediately and do not hand over any money or valuables
- Wait at least five minutes before calling anyone, then use a different phone
- Call your local police non-emergency line to report the call
- Tell a trusted family member or neighbour what happened
- If a courier arrives at your door, do not answer and call police
- Report to your national fraud reporting service
Frequently asked questions
What if the caller offers a police crime reference number?
A crime reference number can be invented. Always verify by calling the police directly on a number you look up independently — not a number given to you by the caller.
Why do fraudsters stay on the line after you hang up?
On older landline systems a caller can sometimes hold the line open for a short period. Waiting a few minutes or using a mobile phone prevents the fraudster from intercepting your follow-up call.