(Bandar Seri Begawan, 23rd) The Royal Brunei Police Force is reminding the public that there has been a recent increase in telephone scams involving individuals impersonating police officers, bank staff, and government officials. According to statistics, between January and April 2026, victims have lost more than BND 1.6 million, raising serious concerns.
The police pointed out that scammers usually first pretend to be bank employees, informing victims that there are irregularities with their bank accounts or cards, and then transfer the call to someone impersonating a police officer, claiming that the victim is involved in fraud or money laundering cases.
Scammers often instruct victims to keep the case "confidential" on the grounds that it is a "secret investigation," and demand cash purportedly for "verification" or "investigation inspection" purposes. In some cases, victims were even arranged to meet scammers at places such as parking lots to hand over cash in person.
The police stated that common scam tactics include impersonation of police officers, bank staff, or government officials; contacting victims with unfamiliar phone numbers; intimidating victims by alleging involvement in criminal cases; demanding confidentiality, as well as requesting cash, banking information or asking for transfers.
The police emphasize that legitimate police officers, banks, or government agencies will never ask members of the public to provide cash, bank details, passwords, or one-time passcodes (OTP) for investigation purposes.
If the public receives a suspicious call, they should hang up immediately, never provide any personal information, and verify the matter through official channels.
For consultation, assistance, or further anti-fraud information, the public can call the anti-fraud hotline at 16993.
Scammers often instruct victims to keep the case "confidential" on the grounds that it is a "secret investigation," and demand cash purportedly for "verification" or "investigation inspection" purposes. In some cases, victims were even arranged to meet scammers at places such as parking lots to hand over cash in person.
The police stated that common scam tactics include impersonation of police officers, bank staff, or government officials; contacting victims with unfamiliar phone numbers; intimidating victims by alleging involvement in criminal cases; demanding confidentiality, as well as requesting cash, banking information or asking for transfers.
The police emphasize that legitimate police officers, banks, or government agencies will never ask members of the public to provide cash, bank details, passwords, or one-time passcodes (OTP) for investigation purposes.
If the public receives a suspicious call, they should hang up immediately, never provide any personal information, and verify the matter through official channels.
For consultation, assistance, or further anti-fraud information, the public can call the anti-fraud hotline at 16993.