Police and Embassy Impostor Scams Targeting Chinese Speakers

The FBI has warned that criminals are posing as Chinese police officers, embassy and consulate officials to frighten members of the Chinese community in the United States — especially Chinese students at U.S. universities — into sending large sums of money. In September 2026 the FBI said the wider problem of scammers impersonating foreign and diplomatic officials is growing, with 1,809 complaints and more than $140 million in reported losses from January 2025 through July 2026.

How the scam works

According to the FBI’s public service announcement, the scheme usually follows four steps:

1. The first call. Scammers spoof their phone numbers so the call appears to come from a mobile carrier, a large retailer, a delivery service, or the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. They say your personal information has been linked to a financial fraud investigation.
2. The “police officer.” The call is transferred to someone claiming to be from a Chinese provincial police department. This person describes the alleged crime and sends official-looking documents — fake law enforcement credentials, a photo of your Chinese national ID, and charge papers. Victims may be pressured to return to China or threatened with arrest.
3. The surveillance. Victims are told to accept 24/7 video and audio monitoring, not to discuss the case or search the internet, and to report all of their daily activities.
4. The payment. Victims are told to wire a large sum to a bank account in China to “prove” their innocence or post bail. Some are pushed to lie to friends and family to get more money, to move money for others, or to recruit other people.

EXAMPLE — SCAM

Today 9:40 AM●●● ▮

Incoming call Consulate (spoofed)

Caller: This is the consulate. A package mailed in your name was found with forged bank cards and passports. Your identity is part of a money laundering case. I will transfer you to the investigating police department now.

Second voice (“police officer”): You are a suspect. To prove your innocence you must stay on video with me at all times, tell no one, and transfer your savings to a supervision account for verification.

Who is being targeted

The FBI says criminals target the U.S.-based Chinese community, especially students. In its September 2026 alert, the FBI added that scammers posing as foreign or U.S.-based diplomatic officials threaten people from certain nations, international students and foreign nationals with extradition or cancellation of their home-country passport. Some scammers have worn fake police uniforms and used mock government offices on video calls.

Red flags

The FBI lists these warning signs. If you notice any of them, stop:

• An unknown person accuses you of a crime.
• The caller says your information is tied to a criminal investigation.
• You are asked to pay money to avoid arrest.
• You are asked to accept constant video or audio monitoring.
• You are told to stay silent, not search online, or hide the situation from others.
• You are told to lie to family or friends about money.

What to do

The FBI’s advice:

• Don’t share personal or financial information, and don’t send money.
• Stop all contact with the person.
• Don’t trust an official-looking phone number — numbers can be spoofed.
• Verify any government contact yourself. Find the agency’s contact information on its official website and call it directly.
• Don’t agree to video or audio monitoring.
• Contact your local FBI field office if someone claiming to be Chinese authorities contacts you. The FBI notes that legitimate foreign officials conducting law enforcement work in the U.S. must coordinate with U.S. federal authorities.

If you already sent money

Act fast:

1. Contact your bank immediately to try to stop or reverse the transaction, and ask it to contact the bank that received the money.
2. Notify the payment service you used.
3. File a report at IC3.gov as quickly as possible. Include wire instructions, wallet addresses, phone numbers, and any text or email messages.
4. Students: report it to your campus security or public safety office to help warn others.

Then talk to someone you trust. These scams depend on keeping you isolated — the moment you tell a friend, the spell is broken. For more on scammers posing as officials, see government impostor scams and why caller ID can’t be trusted.