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Digital arrest scams use fake law enforcement to push crypto payments

Scammers may leverage stolen driver’s license scan data and video calls to make threats appear more credible, including pressure to pay quickly using cryptocurrency transactions.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Regulation

CoinDesk highlights the rise of so-called digital arrest scams that impersonate law enforcement to pressure victims into rapid payments, including cryptocurrency transactions. The scams often rely on virtual interactions that reduce the chance to verify whether the caller or video officer is legitimate.

The outlet notes that law enforcement does not conduct arrests through video calls, with legitimate actions typically involving identifiable officials, established procedures, and ways to confirm authenticity. In these scams, a caller may contact victims from a fake number and claim there is an issue with the victim’s account.

CoinDesk points to the potential credibility boost from a reported breach of more than 153 million driver’s license scans. While it is not yet clear how the data will be used, the stolen images could be used to falsely suggest the victim’s license was obtained from a law enforcement database.

In the emerging US version described by CoinDesk, scammers may claim they are from a bank fraud department and allege suspicious purchases or criminal activity tied to the victim. The victim may then be directed into video interactions with an “officer” or “agent,” told the matter is confidential, and pressured to pay to make the charges disappear, sometimes over repeated check-ins per day.

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