Fake Arrest Warrant Scams
Calls claiming a warrant is out for your arrest unless you pay a 'fine' immediately.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake arrest warrant scams claim there's an active warrant for your arrest — for unpaid fines, missed court dates, or alleged crimes — and that you can avoid arrest only by paying immediately.
How it works
A caller posing as police, a court, or a federal agency states a warrant exists and that officers are en route unless you pay a 'fine' or 'bond' now, often by gift card or transfer, while staying on the line.
Common red flags
- Threat of imminent arrest unless you pay now
- Payment demanded by gift card or transfer
- Instruction to stay on the line and keep it secret
- Spoofed official caller ID
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
There is a warrant for your arrest. Officers are dispatched. Pay the [amount] bond by gift card to cancel it.
Payment methods used
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Bank transfer
Who is usually targeted
- General public
- Older adults
- Newcomers
What to do immediately
- Hang up — warrants are not resolved by phone payments
- Verify with police/court via official numbers
- Report the scam
Evidence to preserve
- Caller details and voicemails
- Case/warrant numbers cited
- Payment demands
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay to cancel an arrest warrant over the phone?
No. Legitimate authorities do not call demanding gift-card or transfer payments to cancel warrants. This is a fear-based scam — hang up and verify through official channels.