I got a message saying they caught the scammer and I just pay a fee to get my money, real?
Last reviewed: 2026-08-01 · Checked with Hunch’s on-device engine, the same one inside the extension. How Hunch checks →
Part of our guide: What to do if you got scammed →
It's a scam. Notices claiming authorities "caught the scammer" and recovered your money, you only need to verify your identity and pay a release fee to receive it, are impersonating police or agencies. Real law enforcement never charges victims a fee to hand back recovered funds.
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This targets recent victims who are waiting and hoping for justice, then hands them exactly the news they wanted: the scammer is caught and the money is coming back. The fabricated arrest and "recovered funds" turn relief into compliance, so the small release fee feels like a formality standing between the victim and a payout that was never real.
Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.
How to verify it yourself
- Police and agencies never charge you a fee to return money they recovered.
- A demand to "verify identity" through a random link is impersonation, not a case update.
- Official case news comes through channels you can call back and confirm, not a lookalike site.
- Any "release," "processing," or "tax" fee to unlock your own money is the scam.
Common questions
is a we caught the scammer message a scam
Yes. The claim of an arrest and recovered funds is bait; the release fee is the actual scam, and no real agency charges to return your money.
police say they recovered my money and want a fee
Real police don't do this. Call your local department or the FTC directly to confirm, never pay a fee sent by email to "release" funds.
do I pay to release recovered funds
Never. Recovered money is returned without a charge; a payment demand to unlock it is proof the message is fraudulent.
message says the suspect was arrested and I get my money back
Treat the arrest claim as fiction. It exists only to make the release fee feel like the last step before payout, when it is the whole con.
If you already responded
- If you paid a release or processing fee, contact your bank immediately to try to reverse it.
- Stop contact and share no identity documents or further payments.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.