Fake Police

[tater03]

I remember a friend who goes quite a bit to Africa telling me to never give a policeman your ID when asked. That you should ask for them to take you to the police station before you show them your ID. This is because their are what I guess you would call fake police and they just want to get your information off of your ID. Has anyone else ever heard about this?

[3plus3]

That is very scary!! But I guess there are people like that pretty much anywhere you go, just be careful.

[tater03]

That is kind of scary. I just never think of people faking being a policeman. I have no clue if it is commen or wide spread though?

[Jewel]

I have heard about this! It's very scary to think that people want to be a part of these scams. It reminds me of the Nigerian email scams that I always get in my inbox.

[riskey58]

I have never heard of this. But it is sure a good thing to know. I know I would not think twicw about giving the police my ID.

[katharina]

I remember a friend who goes quite a bit to Africa telling me to never give a policeman your ID when asked. That you should ask for them to take you to the police station before you show them your ID. This is because their are what I guess you would call fake police and they just want to get your information off of your ID. Has anyone else ever heard about this?

This is something that happens at a lot of places if you travel to areas that aren't really
heavy with tourism... it makes a traveler an easy target, unfortunately.  I'm not sure I'd
remember NOT to show my ID and that's what's scary for me.  Would I be so intimidated
thinking I did something wrong that I'd just hand it over so they'd know I wasn't doing
anything wrong?  I'm not sure I'd have the presence of mind to realize it may be a scam! 

[tater03]

You're right because if it was a policeman I would just assume that I would have no choice but to give them my ID. I am glad that I know about this now.

[Africa Point]

I live in Kenya and have had encounters with the local cops. A citizen walking in the streets at night without ID could land you in overnight jail or be fined. But please do not bribe them to let you go. As concerning fake police, i guess you will never miss them in any society

[katharina]

I live in Kenya and have had encounters with the local cops. A citizen walking in the streets at night without ID could land you in overnight jail or be fined. But please do not bribe them to let you go. As concerning fake police, i guess you will never miss them in any society

I hope I wouldn't have to go to jail for anything,    but you've made me curious here.  If they have to keep
a tourist in jail overnight, what happens when there's an attempted bribe?  Do they fine more heavily for that,
or... how do they handle that?

[riskey58]

Sounds like they really don't give you a choice. You either give them your ID or end up in jail. Is it ok if you ask them for their Id to make sure that they are real police?

[3plus3]

Yes, I am curious as well. How would you be able to distinguish the real cops from the fakes? And would the real ones understand why you wouldn't show them your ID until you get to the station?

[riskey58]

It is a little freaky that when you go somewhere you can't even trust the police. I can't see myself asking them for their ID. I don't think that would go over very good.

[3plus3]

I do not think that would go over too well, at least I know it won't here in the U.S., so I can imagine how it would in other countries.

[ninikins]

What a terrifying concept! I would probably go along with it if i hadn't of heard it here and it happened to me. I suppose you just trust people in apparent authority.