There's an arrest warrant for you: New phone scam doing the rounds
Expats in Spain have reported receiving alarming scam calls that claim there is an arrest warrant out against them
A new phone scam is causing concern among English-speaking residents in Spain, as numerous individuals report receiving fraudulent calls claiming arrest warrants have been issued against them. Victims say the calls, often originating from Spanish numbers, use scare tactics to trick individuals into responding.One individual shared their experience online, stating, “Just had a phone call saying there is an arrest warrant for me. Has anyone else had one? Think it’s a scam – I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Others quickly confirmed receiving similar calls, with one person noting, “Yes, so have I. Gave me a bit of a shock, and I blocked the number immediately. Relieved to see others have had the same, though. Gotta be a scam, thankfully.”
The scam calls appear to vary slightly in approach. Some report being instructed to “press 1 to speak to the police” or to pay a supposed fine or outstanding amount to avoid arrest.
One person said, “I had one from ‘HMRC’ telling me an arrest warrant had been issued for me. The only way I could stop it was to pay the outstanding amount by card today. I told them to proceed with the arrest warrant as I couldn’t afford to pay the £800, and they just put the phone down.”
Other victims noted being asked about “suspicious activity” on their National ID or being advised to download malicious software. In each case, the goal appears to be to frighten recipients into giving personal information or making payments.
The calls have been received on different networks, not just one, and there has been some speculation about a possible data breach.
Authorities and experts advise that anyone receiving such calls should remain calm, hang up immediately and avoid pressing any buttons or sharing personal details. If you suspect a scam call, it is recommended to block the number and report the incident to your phone provider or the relevant local authorities.
Stay vigilant and inform others to prevent falling victim to such scams.
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