Is a call saying my computer has been used for illegal activity and my accounts will be frozen a scam?
Yes. This is a variant of government impersonation and tech-support fraud. No legitimate authority contacts citizens this way.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Computer crime impersonation scams involve a caller claiming to be from the FBI, Interpol, GCHQ, CISA, or another authority, warning that your IP address has been linked to illegal downloads, child exploitation material, or money laundering. To avoid arrest, you are told to cooperate immediately — by providing remote access to your computer, paying a settlement fee, or purchasing cryptocurrency. Real law enforcement investigates through formal legal processes and does not cold-call suspects demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest. This scam is designed to create maximum fear to bypass your critical judgement. If you receive such a call, hang up. Real law enforcement will communicate through official written notices if needed.
The accusation is chosen for its shame value. By naming offences too embarrassing to discuss, the script isolates the victim from the one thing that would end the call — telling another person — and makes even the innocent hesitate, since being investigated feels dangerous regardless of guilt. It is worth stating the procedural reality plainly: genuine criminal investigations do not warn suspects by phone, do not accept money to make cases disappear, and do not conduct justice through gift cards or cryptocurrency. An offer to settle a criminal matter with payment is not how any legal system works; it is the signature of extortion, and it should end the conversation instantly.
Common red flags
- Caller claims your computer or IP is linked to illegal content
- Demand for immediate payment or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest
- Instruction to allow remote access to your computer to 'clear' your record
- Caller insists you keep the matter secret and act immediately
- Caller ID shows a government or police number
What to do now
- Hang up immediately
- Do not pay anything or install any software
- Report the call to your national fraud service
- Know that genuine law enforcement does not operate this way
Frequently asked questions
What if the caller already knows my name, address, and some account details?
Personal data is widely available from breaches and marketing databases. Knowing your details does not make the caller legitimate — real law enforcement still follows formal legal processes.
I am worried something on my computer could actually be illegal. Does that change anything?
No — the call is still a scam, because this is not how investigations happen. If you have separate genuine concerns about your device or conduct, speak to a lawyer, not to anyone who cold-called you.