Police impersonation phone scams in France, Digi Mart USA News (France): Phone scams remain active in 2026, with fraudsters still managing to manipulate individuals into handing over personal data and money. According to the publisher, filtering settings or apps on iPhone can block many unwanted calls.
A recent surge in fraudulent calls is underway, with scammers posing as the national police to trap their targets. Spoofing, which involves impersonating an organization to deceive someone, is picking up again at the end of the year.
The identity of the national police is being widely used by scammers at present.
Louis Laugier, director general of the national police, and Laurent Nuñez, the Minister of the Interior, have sounded the alarm. According to an internal telegram cited by BFM TV, a recent increase in fraudulent calls aimed at obtaining information from police files has been observed by territorial police services.
The internal document says the perpetrators have equipment that can display the desired number on a police station’s phone. They understand the language and workings of the institution well and do not hesitate to stage elaborate scenarios, according to an educational note addressed to police officers and gendarmes.
Another document gives an example of how a scammer could use a police station’s number. A real officer could receive a call and believe that a legitimate person is on the other end, and the scammer could then request confidential information contained in police files.
Officers and gendarmes are asked to use their internal communication channels to exchange information. Calling back is also described as highly effective: by calling a police station directly, they will reach someone legitimate rather than the scammer.
The scammer can display the real number of a police station but cannot receive a call.
For now, the spoofing impersonating the national police does not appear to target the general public, according to the publisher. The article notes that this could be equally dangerous.
