Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are urging residents to stay vigilant as fraudsters impersonating police officers target 'vulnerable communities' across the region. The scammers are attempting to convince victims to hand over personal and sensitive information, including cryptocurrency account details.
GMP described the scam as an 'incredibly sophisticated type of crime' in which callers pretend to be police officers. A common method involves claiming that a suspect has been arrested and found with the victim's personal documents, such as a passport, driving licence or banking details. The calls can 'appear convincing' and are made using fake GMP phone numbers.
Cryptocurrency accounts targeted
The fraudsters have also asked victims about their cryptocurrency accounts on several occasions, specifically requesting IDs, recovery phrases and security codes. GMP stressed that officers would never ask anyone to share this information or move accounts.
Detective Sergeant Reed from the Cyber Crime Team said: "These calls are an incredibly sophisticated type of crime, and those responsible are targeting our vulnerable communities."
"We take offences of this nature incredibly seriously, and our Cyber Crime Team are working around the clock to understand how these offences have occurred, and how to prevent it from continuing," Reed added.
Advice and reporting
GMP is urging the public to follow three pieces of advice: be wary of unsolicited calls, emails or messages relating to cryptocurrency investments or accounts; never share passwords, recovery phrases or security codes; and do not transfer cryptocurrency or money to accounts suggested by a caller.
Anyone affected by the scam, or who knows someone affected, should report it to Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk and to GMP on 101 quoting log 2473 of 13/10/2026. Alternatively, reports can be made via the GMP LiveChat function on their website or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
