HPD issues warning about phone scam involving fake arrest

The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) is warning the public about a recent phone scam reported by a local resident.

The individual received a call from a man claiming to be an attorney. The caller said the resident’s son had been involved in a car crash and was subsequently arrested. The scammer then requested $8,000 in bail money and provided a phone number to coordinate the handoff.

The resident consulted with bank staff, who suspected a scam. After confirming that the son had not been involved in any incident, the resident reported the call to HPD. No money was lost.

To protect yourself from similar scams, please keep the following tips in mind:

Bail or bond payments are accepted only at police stations. Officers will never meet you elsewhere to collect money.
Ignore calls or texts from unfamiliar numbers. If in doubt, contact the police directly to verify.
Never share personal or banking information with unknown callers or send payment in any form.

To report fraudulent activity, call 911, visit a police station or file an Online Citizen Police Report. Your vigilance helps HPD protect the public and build a safer, stronger community.

Click here to download the News Release.