Back to Fake Interpol Email Extortion

This is a version of Fake Interpol Email Extortion.

Fake Europol/Guardia Civil Extortion Cyber Investigation Email Scam

Scammers send a frightening email pretending to be from police (Europol/Guardia Civil), claiming you are under investigation for serious crimes. The message demands a reply within 24 hours to a free Yahoo address and includes an official-looking PDF with government logos, case numbers, and legal language. The goal is to scare you into responding so they can pressure you for money or personal information. Real police do not contact people this way or use free email accounts.

Fake Europol/Guardia Civil Extortion Cyber Investigation Email Scam | Primary Image

What’s different in this version

These traits set this message apart from the usual pattern.

  1. Uses police logos and Spanish government letterhead (Guardia Civil/Europol) to look official

  2. Demands a reply within 24 hours to a free Yahoo address instead of an official domain

  3. Mixes languages (English email + Spanish PDF) and lists very serious accusations to create panic

  4. Includes fake case numbers and an “urgent summons” style attachment

  5. Subject line includes TR:” to appear like part of an ongoing thread and bypass filters

  6. Generic greeting (“Dear,”) with no personal details, a common sign of mass-sent scams

How this scam works

  1. 1

    Step 1: You receive an email that looks official (Interpol logo, legal wording) with a subject like “Update on an ongoing administrative offense.”

  2. 2

    Step 2: The message asks you to open an attached document that cites a made-up case number and a short deadline (often 48 hours).

  3. 3

    Step 3: The attachment instructs you to reply to a non-official email address to avoid arrest or public exposure.

  4. 4

    Step 4: If you respond, the scammer ramps up the fear and demands payment (sometimes via bank transfer, crypto, or gift cards) or sensitive information to “close the case.”

  5. 5

    Step 5: If you ignore them, the threats continue for a while and then stop. Real law enforcement does not work this way.

✓ Do this

  • Stay calm. Real police do not email threats or demand payment by email.
  • Delete the email without replying. If you opened the attachment, run a security scan.
  • Verify concerns directly with your local police using phone numbers from their official website.
  • Keep a copy (screenshots) if you plan to report it.

✗ Avoid this

  • Do not reply to the sender or the contact email in the attachment.
  • Do not pay any “fines,” buy gift cards, or send crypto to resolve this.
  • Do not open unknown attachments or click links from unexpected legal threats.
  • Do not share your full name, ID numbers, bank details, or passwords.

Verbatim excerpts from the scam

Exact lines from emails or messages—searchable text so you can compare wording.

  1. 1 Excerpt 1
    Subject: TR: TR:Urgent Call – Cyber Investigation Dear, Following a recent cyber infiltration, legal action is being taken against you for: (Child pornography – Pedophilia – Exhibitionism – Cyberpornography – Sex trafficking). Please contact us immediately at: politiechief.politienationale@myyahoo.com Attachment: invitation to publication. RESPONSE WITHIN 24H.
  2. 2 Excerpt 2
    Attachment (sample text on letterhead): GOBIERNO DE ESPAÑA MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE LA GUARDIA CIVIL CONVOCATORIA JUDICIAL URGENTE Y REQUERIMIENTO UNIDAD DE INVESTIGACIÓN CONJUNTA (JIT) BRIGADA DE PROTECCIÓN DE MENORES (B.P.M.) - EUROPOL REFERENCIAS DEL EXPEDIENTE: • Nacional: Nº • Europol: Operación KIDFLIX - EUROPOL/KIDFLIX/ Asunto: NOTIFICACIÓN DE ACUSACIONES FORMALES POR CRÍMENES GRAVES