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🇺🇾 Uruguay /Crime & Justice

Police warn of new scam in Rocha involving fake officers and lawyers

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Rocha police said scammers in the Castillos area are posing first as officers and then as lawyers to demand bail or fines.
  • Authorities advised residents not to transfer money or share personal information, and to call 911 to verify claims about an arrested relative.
  • Police urged people to share the warning, particularly with older adults, who are often targeted.

Police in Rocha have warned of a telephone scam in the Castillos area that uses two successive calls to pressure victims into handing over money.

In the first call, made to a landline, the fraudsters claim to be police officers. They say a relative or acquaintance has been detained after a traffic crash and ask for the target’s cellphone number. A second caller then poses as a lawyer, demands bail or a fine, threatens a supposed prison sentence, or requests confidential information.

Rocha police advised residents not to make payments or transfers under any circumstances and not to provide personal data. Anyone contacted about the alleged detention of someone close to them should call the police directly to check the claim.

under no circumstances

· Rocha PolicePolice advised residents not to make payments or transfers in response to the scam calls.

Authorities said official agencies never arrange bail payments by telephone. They warned that the scammers’ main tool is creating urgency, fear and pressure to force a quick decision. After receiving such a call, residents should dial 911.

Police also asked the public to circulate the warning, especially among older adults, who are often the main targets of these schemes. The Interior Ministry offers a verification service through WhatsApp at 098 111 911 and by email at verifica@minterior.gub.uy for suspicious messages, social media posts or news items.

It is recommended that this alert be shared, especially among older adults, who are often the main target of this type of scheme.

· Rocha PoliceThe police urged residents to spread the warning.
About this summary

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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