Scam Calls Greater Manchester: GMP Warns Of Fake Officer Calls 2026

Key Points

• Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has warned people about a surge in scam calls within Greater Manchester.
• Scam callers are said to pose as police officers and cyber criminals for collecting personal information and other sensitive data.
• The scammers have claimed that an arrest has been made against a suspect carrying the personal information of the victim such as their passports, driving licenses, or bank details.
• It is being said that the scammers are trying to get information related to cryptocurrency accounts such as their account IDs, recovery phrases, and other security codes.
• Some callers were using spoofed phone numbers to make them seem like the calls are coming from GMP.
• Merseyside Police has also come forward with similar incidents of scam calls with the scammers using the same caller ID spoofing technology.
• According to Detective Sergeant Reed of GMP, this type of scam is “an incredibly sophisticated type of crime,” and it affects the vulnerable communities.
• GMP has advised the people to never reveal passwords, recovery phrases, security codes, PIN numbers, or any card details and do not transfer any cryptocurrency or money as demanded by the caller.

Manchester Police (Manchester Mirror) October 14, 2026 – Police have issued an urgent warning after a rise in scam calls across Greater Manchester, with fraudsters reportedly impersonating police officers to obtain sensitive personal and financial information from residents.

As reported by ITV News Granada, GMP and Merseyside Police said fraudsters posing as officers and cyber crime specialists have been attempting to gain access to people’s personal details and cryptocurrency account information. The warning follows numerous reports from members of the public who were contacted by callers claiming to be police officers investigating criminal activity.

According to The Bolton News, one common tactic involved callers telling victims that a suspect had been arrested while carrying their personal documents, such as passports, driving licences or banking details. The callers then allegedly tried to persuade victims to provide information about their cryptocurrency accounts, including account IDs, recovery phrases and security codes.

GMP stressed that its officers would never ask members of the public to share such information or move accounts. The force also warned that the calls could appear convincing because scammers have used spoofed GMP phone numbers.

How Are The Scam Calls Being Carried Out?

The reported scam follows a pattern in which fraudsters use the apparent authority of a police investigation to create concern and encourage victims to cooperate. As reported by ITV News Granada, callers claimed that a suspect had been arrested in possession of the victim’s personal documents, before seeking information connected to cryptocurrency accounts.

The requested details reportedly included cryptocurrency account IDs, recovery phrases and security codes. These are sensitive pieces of information because recovery phrases and security codes can be used to access or control a cryptocurrency account.

The Bolton News reported that GMP received numerous reports from people contacted by callers claiming to be officers investigating criminal activity. The force said the callers attempted to gather information about victims’ cryptocurrency accounts after making claims about arrested suspects and personal documents.

GMP has made clear that genuine officers will not ask people to disclose security codes or personal information relating to cryptocurrency. The force also said officers would never ask anyone to move their accounts.

Why Do The Calls Appear Genuine?

A central concern raised by police is that the calls may look authentic because of caller ID spoofing. As reported by ITV News Granada, GMP said the scam calls may appear convincing and can use spoofed GMP phone numbers.

The Bolton News likewise reported that scammers used spoofed phone numbers to make calls appear as though they were coming from GMP. This means the number shown on a recipient’s phone may not reliably confirm that the caller is genuine.

Merseyside Police also reported that calls purporting to be from the force used caller ID spoofing to appear as if they were coming from its genuine switchboard number. The force said it and GMP had both been targeted by the scam activity.

Police advised people who are unsure about a caller’s identity to ask for identification. As reported by ITV News Granada, GMP said all officers have a collar number and warrant card, and people can check names, collar numbers and crime reference numbers by calling 101.

What Did Greater Manchester Police Say?

Detective Sergeant Reed, of GMP, described the activity as highly sophisticated and said those responsible were targeting vulnerable communities. As reported by ITV News Granada, he said: “These calls are an incredibly sophisticated type of crime, and those responsible are targeting our vulnerable communities.”

Detective Sergeant Reed also urged the public to remain vigilant and to support friends or family members who could be at risk. As reported by The Bolton News, he said: “I strongly urge the public to please remain vigilant and support friends or family members who may be vulnerable to this type of crime.”

He further stated that GMP officers would never ask people to share security codes or personal information connected to cryptocurrency. As reported by ITV News Granada, he said: “Our officers will never get you to share security codes or personal information in relation to cryptocurrency, and if you are receiving calls that ask you to do so, please do not respond and report to us immediately.”

The Bolton News reported the same warning, quoting Detective Sergeant Reed as saying that people should not respond to such calls and should report them to police immediately. He also advised people to be cautious when asked to share information and to ask a police officer for identification.

What Should Residents Do If They Receive A Suspicious Call?

GMP advised people to be wary of unsolicited calls, emails or messages relating to cryptocurrency investments or accounts. The force said residents should never share passwords, recovery phrases or security codes with anyone.

Police also warned people not to transfer cryptocurrency or money to other accounts suggested by a caller. In addition, GMP said a police officer should never ask someone to disclose their PIN number or card details, whether in person, on the phone or online.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by the scam has been asked to report it through Report Fraud and contact GMP on 101. The Bolton News reported that people contacting GMP should quote log 2473 of October 13, 2026.

GMP also encouraged people to check the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer. As reported by ITV News Granada, the force said people can ask an officer for identification and verify the name, collar number and crime reference numbers provided by calling 101.

What Has Merseyside Police Said?

Merseyside Police has issued a parallel warning after reporting similar scam calls in its area. As reported by ITV News Granada, the force said calls purporting to be from Merseyside Police used caller ID spoofing to appear as though they were coming from the genuine Merseyside Police switchboard number.

The force said fraudsters were impersonating police officers and cyber crime specialists in an attempt to obtain sensitive personal and financial information, particularly information related to cryptocurrency accounts. Merseyside Police and GMP both said officers would never ask people to share such information or move their accounts.

The involvement of both forces indicates that the reported tactic has been reported beyond Greater Manchester, although the latest GMP warning specifically concerns reports from across Greater Manchester.

How Can People Protect Family Members From Scam Calls?

GMP urged residents, particularly those who may be vulnerable, to remain vigilant and to support friends or family members who could be at risk. Detective Sergeant Reed said people should encourage relatives to be cautious if they receive calls asking for personal or financial information.

The force’s advice includes treating unexpected contact about cryptocurrency accounts with caution, refusing requests for passwords, recovery phrases or security codes, and avoiding any transfer of cryptocurrency or money at a caller’s request.

People can also verify a claimed police officer’s identity by asking for identification and calling 101 to check the details provided. GMP said that, if someone suspects an officer is being impersonated, they should contact police.

Background Of The Development

The warning was issued on October 14, 2026, after GMP said it had received numerous reports from members of the public about scam calls across Greater Manchester. The callers reportedly claimed to be police officers investigating criminal activity and used claims about arrested suspects and personal documents to obtain cryptocurrency-related information.

The development forms part of a wider pattern of fraud warnings involving people impersonating police officers. In January 2025, GMP warned residents in Wigan about fraudsters posing as police officers and claiming there had been suspicious transactions on people’s bank accounts. In that earlier case, the force said calls originated from a No Caller ID and asked recipients to dial 999 or 101 to verify transactions.

More recently, the Manchester Evening News reported in September 2026 on a case involving a fake GMP officer who targeted a pensioner in a courier scam. That report included advice that banks or police would never send a courier to collect bank cards, cash or valuables such as jewellery.

The current warning differs because the reported callers are seeking information connected to cryptocurrency accounts, including recovery phrases and security codes, while using spoofed phone numbers to appear credible.

Prediction: How Could This Affect Greater Manchester Residents?

This development is likely to make Greater Manchester residents more cautious about unexpected telephone calls claiming to come from GMP, particularly where the caller asks for financial or cryptocurrency information. Because police have confirmed that spoofed numbers can make calls appear genuine, residents may need to rely less on caller ID and more on independent verification through 101.

For households with older or vulnerable relatives, the warning may prompt more conversations about refusing unsolicited requests for passwords, recovery phrases, security codes, PINs or card details. GMP has specifically asked people to support friends or family members who may be at risk.

For cryptocurrency users, the reported focus on account IDs, recovery phrases and security codes may lead to greater awareness that these details should never be shared with an unsolicited caller. If the scam continues, residents may also see increased reporting activity through GMP’s 101 line and Report Fraud, while police may issue further advice if new tactics emerge.