TL;DR: On October 5, 2026, Kent Police issued a safety reminder after calls on October 1 from criminals posing as police officers. Caller ID sometimes showed a genuine-looking Kent Police number. Two victims lost money after giving crypto account details, including seed phrases. Enquiries are ongoing.
What happened
The Kent Police reminder says some callers gave a named officer, a station in Kent, a reference number and a false email address. They claimed the victim’s passport or personal details were being used in crime, then requested money as part of an “investigation”.
The force is asking for information on 01622 604100, quoting reference 02-1045.
Why it works
A real-looking number, a named officer and a reference number make a cold call feel like a genuine investigation. Asking for a crypto seed phrase is especially dangerous because it gives full control of a wallet.
Police say they will never ask you to transfer money as part of an investigation.
Background: our explainers on realistic expectations for crypto scam recovery and caller ID spoofing. See also NCA Charges Five Over Spoofing Platform Behind Scam Calls and City of London Police Alert: 260+ Calls From One Spoofed Number.
What Kent Police advise
- Do not give personal information in response to an incoming call, especially anything about your finances or bank details.
- Never share your crypto seed phrase and keep it secret.
- End the call, wait five minutes for the line to clear or use a different phone to contact the police.
- Remember the ABC rule: never Assume, never Believe unless you are confident, and always Confirm. Report on 101 or to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, using the number on your card or by dialling 159, and ask about stopping the payment and reimbursement, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Our guides on UK fraud reporting and APP reimbursement rules, UK bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain what to expect, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did these calls happen?
On Thursday October 1, 2026, with the reminder published on October 5, 2026.
What did the callers claim?
That the victim’s passport or personal details were being used in crime, then asked for money as part of an investigation.
Why is a seed phrase so sensitive?
It gives full control of a crypto wallet. Kent Police say never to share it.
Will police ask me to transfer money?
No. Police will never ask you to transfer money as part of an investigation.
Sources
- Kent Police: Safety reminder issued following reports of fraudsters posing as police (Oct 5, 2026)
- Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk)
Related Reading
- NCA Charges Five Over Spoofing Platform Behind Scam Calls
- City of London Police Alert: 260+ Calls From One Spoofed Number
- Crypto Kiosk Scams: 13,460 Complaints and $389M in 2025
- UK Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live