Police warn of spoofed-number phone scam in Monaco
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Fraudsters are faking the Monaco police switchboard number on caller ID to extract money and bank details through fake fraud alerts.
Residents are being warned about a phone scam using a technique called spoofing, which allows callers to display the official Police switchboard number on a victim's screen even though the call has no connection to Monaco's police services.
The callers typically claim to be investigating an ongoing case or a banking fraud affecting the victim, creating a sense of urgency designed to pressure people into handing over personal information, bank details, confidential codes, or even cash and valuables in person.
Anyone living in Monaco, particularly older residents who are often targeted by this type of fraud, should treat unexpected calls referencing police investigations or bank security with caution, even when the number shown matches the official police line. The Sûreté Publique has not confirmed any legitimate circumstance in which officers would request banking details or payment over the phone, and residents who receive suspicious calls are advised to hang up and contact the police directly using a known number rather than calling back the number displayed.