Authority impersonation scam: what you can do
Someone claiming to be police, Bank Negara, or a court says you are under investigation.
Updated 2026-09-29 · Independent resource. Legal review pending.
What this scam looks like
You are contacted, often by a phone call or video call, by someone claiming to be from the police, Bank Negara Malaysia, a court, or a courier company. They tell you your identity, bank account, or a parcel in your name has been linked to a serious crime.
To appear credible, they may show a police ID card, a warrant, or a court document on screen, sometimes with official-looking logos and your own name printed on it. The seriousness of the accusation is designed to override your usual caution.
You may be told not to discuss this with anyone, including your bank or family, because the matter is “confidential” or “under investigation”.
Why the fear tactic works
Being accused of a crime you did not commit is frightening, especially when the person accusing you appears to have official authority. This fear pushes people to comply quickly rather than pause and verify.
The scam is structured so that every question you might ask, why is this happening, how do I prove my innocence, has an answer that leads toward moving money. This is described as clearing your name, protecting your account, or cooperating with the investigation.
Genuine legal trouble does not require you to transfer your own savings to resolve it. This single fact separates every version of this scam from a real investigation.
What real authorities actually do
The police, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the courts do not conduct investigations by asking a member of the public to transfer money into another account for safekeeping or verification. Formal contact from these bodies comes through official written notices, not urgent video calls demanding immediate action.
If you are ever unsure, end the call and contact the organisation directly using a number from its official website, never a number given to you during the call itself. A short delay to verify causes no harm if the matter is genuine.
Bank Negara Malaysia and the police do not ask for OTPs, passwords, or fund transfers over the phone under any circumstance.
Helping a relative who believes this
If a parent or older relative tells you they are being investigated, avoid dismissing their fear outright. This can make them defensive and more likely to trust the caller instead. Ask calmly to see what was shown to them and offer to verify it together.
Suggest calling the agency’s official hotline together, on speakerphone, so they can hear directly that no such case exists. This is usually more convincing than being told simply to disbelieve the caller.
What to do next
If a transfer has already been made, contact the bank immediately to ask about a bank recall. Then call the National Scam Response Centre on 997, especially if it was recent. Report to the police, including the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, with any documents, numbers, or screenshots you were shown.
Keeping a written record of exactly what was said and shown helps both the report and any later conversation with a lawyer about what options remain.
If you or a family member has been told they are under investigation and must transfer money, send us what was said and shown, and we will help you check it calmly.
Common questions
They showed me what looked like a police ID and an arrest warrant on video. Could this be real?
It is very unlikely, and these images are easy to fabricate or copy from genuine documents. Real police do not conduct investigations or ask for money over a video call, so treat this as a strong warning sign regardless of how convincing the documents look.
I was told my bank account is linked to money laundering and I must transfer funds to clear my name. What should I do?
Do not transfer anything. No investigation is resolved by the suspect moving their own money to another account, since that would defeat the purpose of any real inquiry. End the contact and verify independently through the official police or Bank Negara hotline.
My father believes he is under investigation and will not listen to me. How do I help?
Avoid direct confrontation, which can make him defensive, and instead suggest calling the agency's official number together to verify. Bringing in a neutral third party, like a bank officer or another family member, can also help him reconsider calmly.
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Read thisIf you or a family member has been told they are under investigation and must transfer money, send us what was said and shown, and we will help you check it calmly.