Hawai‘i Island police warn public about phone scammers impersonating the Federal Communications Commission

The Hawai‘i Police Department is warning the public about an elaborate government impersonation scam after a Hawai‘i Island resident lost a substantial amount of money to scammers posing as federal law enforcement officials.

In this investigation, the victim received a telephone call from an individual claiming to represent the Federal Communications Commission, according to a news release from the police department. The caller falsely claimed the victim’s telephone number had been linked to a criminal investigation and transferred the victim to another individual posing as an officer with the Washington, D.C. Police Department.

The victim was instructed to download WhatsApp to continue communicating with the suspects. Over the following weeks, the scammers convinced the victim that he was the subject of a money laundering investigation, that an arrest warrant had been issued, that his bail had been set at $1.75 million, and that he faced 7 to 15 years in prison unless he cooperated.

The victim ultimately transferred money through multiple wire transfers before realizing he had been the victim of a scam.

The Hawai‘i Police Department reminds the public that government agencies will never:

• Instruct you to communicate exclusively through WhatsApp or another messaging application as part of a criminal investigation.
• Demand money to avoid arrest.
• Require payment of bail through wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
• Instruct individuals to keep an investigation secret from family members.
• Direct someone to purchase a prepaid cellular telephone.
• Instruct individuals to transfer money to another account for “verification” or “safekeeping.”

Scammers commonly create fear and urgency by threatening arrest, criminal prosecution, frozen bank accounts, or seizure of assets. They often use official-sounding titles, convincing stories, and prolonged communication to gain a victim’s trust.

If you receive a similar call:

• Hang up immediately.
• Do not send money or personal information.
• Do not download applications at the direction of an unsolicited caller.
• Verify the caller by contacting the agency directly using a publicly listed telephone number.
• Speak with a trusted family member or friend before transferring any money.
• Report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a similar scam is encouraged to contact the Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311. Scam prevention safety tips can also be found on the Hawai‘i Police Department website www.hawaiipolice.gov.