A familiar phone scam has reappeared, with fake ‘Police officers’ targeting unsuspecting Kiwis — and this time, reports include areas not far from the Hibiscus Coast.

New Zealand Police have issued another strong warning about the cold call ruse.

The scammers pose as Police officers investigating a fictional case and often claim to have found your passport or another personal item.

They’ll ask for personal information, or worse, convince people to hand over bank details or withdraw cash.

The voice on the line?

Usually a man with a polished English accent, complete with a fake badge number.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ben Bergin from Waitematā CIB says the scam is “essentially a cold call under a ruse”, and while the story may vary, the tactic is the same — pressure, urgency, and manipulation.

In the past week alone, Police have received scam reports from Warkworth, Riverhead, Royal Oak and other areas — a clear reminder that Coasties could be next on the list.

Thankfully, no one is reported to have lost money in the most recent cases.

But it’s a timely reminder to stop, hang up, and double-check.

For those living on the Hibiscus Coast, it’s a warning worth sharing with neighbours, elderly parents, or anyone who might take a call like this at face value.

Scammers rely on confusion and urgency, so staying calm — and calling 105 to verify — is your best defence.

Police have made arrests over similar scams before, but the calls continue to pop up in waves.

Don’t be caught off guard.

If you’ve received one of these calls, report it to Police at 105 or online.

Police remind the public:

• They will never ask for bank or PIN details
• They don’t offer prizes or request cash withdrawals
• Always stop and verify with a real Police callback

Stay safe and keep each other informed — especially around scams like these that thrive in silence.

Know something local worth sharing?

Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.