"Police here. Your son is arrested." Pay on the phone?

Hang up. Call your son.

Bail is a bond before an officer or a court. Not a phone transfer.

• The callA stranger, a crying voice, a deadline, a mobile wallet number.
• The lawBail is given under the CrPC, at the police station or in court.
• Your moveHang up. Call your son, or the station, yourself.

The scammer's script.

Four moves, every time.

• FearYour son is in a case, or in an accident.
• RushPay in 10 minutes or he goes to jail.
• SecrecyDo not tell anyone, or it gets worse.
• PaySend it to this JazzCash or Easypaisa number.

Fake police is a crime.

Section 170, PPC.

“Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office ... and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”

Pakistan Penal Code · Section 170, Personating a public servant

He took your money?

Three more crimes on the same call.

• Cheating by personationSection 419, PPC. Up to 7 years, or fine, or both.
• Cheating for propertySection 420, PPC. Up to 7 years, and fine.
• Electronic fraudSection 14, PECA 2016. Up to 2 years, or fine up to Rs 10 million, or both.

Was he really arrested?

Then the law gives the police 24 hours at most.

• Section 61, CrPCNo one arrested without warrant is held past 24 hours without a Magistrate's order.
• Section 496, CrPCIn a bailable case, he is released on bail when he offers it.
• WhereAt the police station or before a court. Not on a phone call.

Myth or fact?

What a scared parent thinks.

• Myth: If I pay fast, the case goes away.
• Fact: A phone payment closes no case. If the case is real, the CrPC route applies. If it is fake, the money is gone.

Quick quiz. First move?

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

• A. Pay, then check
• B. Hang up and call your son
• C. Keep him talking

Answer: B. Check first.

A name and a school are easy to find online.

• Call your sonOr someone who is with him.
• Call the stationOn a number you find yourself, not one the caller gives.
• Share nothingNo CNIC, no OTP, no bank details.

Save this. The 4-step rule.

Put it on the family group.

• StopDo not pay while the caller is on the line.
• Hang upFear and rush are his tools.
• CheckCall your family and the station yourself.
• Keep proofThe number, the account, the screenshots. Then report it.

It happened to you?

Ask FAI for the exact sections and your next step.

• A man called pretending to be police and took Rs 30,000 from my mother. What can we do?
• Which law covers a fake police call for money?

Example questions

Sources

• Pakistan Penal Code · Section 170
  Personating a public servant Pakistan Code