The phone rings. On the other end, a calm, authoritative voice introduces itself: "This is Sergeant Dave Young with the Gloucester Township Police Department. I was trying to establish contact. This is in regards to a confidential legal matter. It's imperative that you give me a call back today at your earliest convenience." For many, such a message would trigger a jolt of anxiety—after all, who wants to be in trouble with the police? But what if Sergeant Dave Young doesn’t exist?
Across the United States and Europe, a surge in scams involving fake police officers is putting residents, especially the elderly, on high alert. According to reports from WPVI and NBC10, Gloucester Township in Camden County, New Jersey, has seen a wave of scam calls since late November 2025. Callers, often using names like "Sergeant Dave Young" or "Sergeant David Johnson," pose as local officers and claim their targets are involved in legal investigations or have outstanding warrants. The twist? They demand payment—often in the form of gift cards or cryptocurrency—to resolve these fictitious issues.
"It sounds believable, whether it's a person or AI, and they will have the resident believe it so much they will get up, and get ready, and start driving somewhere," Lieutenant Paul Fisher of the Gloucester Township Police told WPVI. In one particularly close call, a resident was nearly convinced to pay bail using Bitcoin, a detail echoed by NBC10’s reporting. The scammers’ use of technology is evolving, with some calls possibly using AI-generated voices to sound more convincing. They speak quickly and authoritatively, often referencing real-sounding incidents—like a bullying investigation—to make their story stick.
Police have been proactive in warning the public. Gloucester Township Police posted sample scam voicemails on social media and emphasized that real officers never call demanding money. "Only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency," the department stated in a Facebook post. Residents are advised to trust their instincts, hang up if something feels off, and directly contact the police department—never the number provided by the caller—to verify any suspicious communication. The department’s official number and email are widely circulated as safe contacts for verification.
But this isn’t just a local problem. The trend is global, and the scale is staggering. In the Netherlands, the number of incidents involving fake police officers has exploded. According to NU.nl, Dutch police reported 502 arrests of suspected fake cops so far in 2025—four times as many as in 2023. Even more alarming, the number of registered incidents increased twentyfold, with 10,631 cases up to October 2025, compared to just 520 two years prior.
The Dutch scams typically target elderly citizens. Criminals call, claim that burglaries are rampant in the neighborhood, and offer to "secure" the victim’s valuables. Working in groups, they minimize the time between the call and the arrival of a fake officer at the victim’s door, reducing the chance that the target will consult with family or friends. Police spokesperson Suzanne van de Graaf explained to NU.nl, "You can’t do this on your own." The tactic is chillingly efficient: the victim receives a call, and minutes later, someone arrives to collect cash, jewelry, or other valuables—never to be seen again.
While violence is rare in these scams, tragedy struck in Amsterdam in August 2025. Two men, aged 21 and 23, allegedly killed an 80-year-old woman while posing as police officers and attempting to rob her. "As far as we know, this is the first time violence was used," Van de Graaf said, noting that the psychological consequences for victims are often severe. Many become fearful, isolated, and reluctant to open their doors or even leave their homes.
The United Kingdom is not immune, either. BBC South East reported the harrowing story of Wendy and Ken, a couple from near Canterbury, Kent, who lost nearly £30,000 to a sophisticated courier fraud. The scam began with a call from someone claiming to be a detective constable, followed by another purporting to be a detective sergeant. The scammers concocted a story about fraudulent activity involving the couple’s bank card and convinced them to withdraw cash over several days. A courier—supposedly from the police—was sent to collect the money. Wendy recalled, "We thought we were helping to stop what he was saying was this little gang working within Canterbury trying to steal people's money."
When the scammers failed to show up for a supposed statement, the couple realized they had been conned. "It was absolutely terrifying and since then it has affected both of us very, very badly. The stress it has caused, it has been constantly on our minds," Wendy told BBC South East. Ken added, "I can't believe I've gone along with it and this is what hurts more than ever." The scammers even discouraged the couple from speaking to their family, isolating them further—a common tactic to prevent outside intervention.
Kent Police confirmed that six victims reported similar courier frauds, with losses totaling £76,000. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, and the Metropolitan Police, which has been running a crackdown operation since February 2025, reported a 46% decrease in such offences. Fortunately, Wendy and Ken’s bank agreed to reimburse their losses after reviewing the case.
So what can be done? Across regions, police are united in their advice: neither law enforcement nor banks will ever ask for your PIN, request payment in cryptocurrency, or send a courier to collect money. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately, and use official channels to verify any claims. Real police and federal agents come to your home in person with warrants or to investigate incidents—they do not demand money over the phone, regardless of what your caller ID might say.
The scale and sophistication of these scams are a sobering reminder that vigilance is essential. Whether in South Jersey, the Netherlands, or the UK, the core message remains the same: trust your instincts, verify everything, and never let fear or urgency pressure you into handing over money or personal information. As criminals adapt their methods, communities and authorities must stay one step ahead—by sharing stories, raising awareness, and supporting those who have been affected.
While technology may make it easier for scammers to sound convincing, a healthy dose of skepticism and a quick call to the real police can make all the difference. For now, the best defense is knowledge—and the courage to ask, "Are you really who you say you are?"
