Queensland Police scam message examples
Example scam messages
A man calling himself a detective sergeant with Queensland Police says a warrant has been issued over an unpaid fine, and enforcement can only be stopped if you buy gift cards within the hour and read out the codes. He insists you stay on the line and tell no one, because the matter is 'confidential'.
What gives it away:
- Queensland Police say police and legitimate government agencies or financial institutions won't request payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency or money transfers; gift cards within the hour fits that pattern
- Enforced secrecy plus a countdown is a pressure formula; Queensland Police say not to let scammers create a high-pressure situation that pushes you to decide on the spot
- Queensland Police say scammers have used official QPS phone numbers, and advise you to hang up, locate the official contact number yourself and make a new call
Subject: Notice of court appearance, QPS traffic matter. Our records show an unresolved infringement linked to your vehicle. Review the notice and finalise payment at qps-infringements[.]example before close of business to avoid escalation to a warrant.
What gives it away:
- A link to pay a fine or court matter by close of business is a reason to stop; look up Queensland Police's contact details yourself and ask whether the matter is real before paying anything
- An abbreviation-style address such as 'qps' in a domain is easy to invent; don't judge an email by how its address or sender looks, and open the Queensland Police website yourself instead
- A 'close of business' deadline on a supposed court matter is a reason to slow down and verify through an independent source, not to pay
How to check a message you've received
Never tap a link in an unexpected message. Instead, paste the text into the free message checker for an instant verdict, or check a suspicious link with the link & website checker. To verify directly, contact Queensland Police through its official app or the number on its real website — never the details in the message itself.
Understand the scam and the brand
Not sure about a message?
Paste it in and get an instant scam verdict with the exact red flags highlighted — free, no signup.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Queensland Police message real or a scam?
The messages on this page are defanged examples of Queensland Police impersonation scams — illustrations modelled on common scam patterns, not genuine Queensland Police messages. To judge a specific message you've received, paste it into the free Scam Scanner checker for an instant verdict, or verify it directly through Queensland Police's official app or website.
How can I tell a fake Queensland Police message from a genuine one?
Queensland Police say that if you receive an unsolicited call, you should independently verify the caller's identity before sharing information or making any payment, regardless of the number displayed. The examples below break down the tells that give a fake away — unexpected links, urgency, and requests for payment or details. If anything asks you to click a link or hand over information, treat it as suspicious until you've verified it independently.
What should I do if I already clicked a link or paid?
Act quickly: contact your bank, then follow the step-by-step recovery guide at /what-to-do. It walks you through who to contact — your bank, IDCARE and the right reporting channel — in the order that matters most.