Officers from the Cyber Crime team at Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) have contacted people whose personal data has been found on the dark web.
If you received an email from Tarian ROCU on Thursday, February 19, 2026, it’s important not to ignore it. You may need to take steps to protect yourself from fraud. Genuine police emails usually do not contain links or attachments. If you get an email claiming to be from the police that includes links or attachments, call 101 to check if it is real.
Detective Inspector Mathew Davies, of Tarian ROCU, said: “Cryptocurrency holders are attractive targets to fraudsters. I would urge anyone who has cryptocurrency to ensure they are secure online and to be aware of potential scams.
“Make sure you are using strong passwords, enable two-factor-authentication, and consider the use of a password manager. Regularly check your bank and other financial accounts for signs of suspicious activity.
“Be aware that fraudsters may impersonate legitimate bodies such as the police, banks, or other financial institutions. Genuine individuals from these organisations will never contact you asking you to transfer money, share personal financial details, or hand over remote control of your computer or phone.
“Fraudsters may also attempt to build a rapport with you online through dating platforms or social media. They may then encourage you to invest your cryptocurrency in a scheme that seems too good to be true. Two-thirds of cryptocurrency scams now start on social media, but others may appear through text, email, or phone call.
“I would encourage all cryptocurrency holders to find out more about how they could be scammed and how their money and or data could be stolen.”
For more information on how to protect yourself, visit the National Cyber Security Centre website: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk.
If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam, report it to Report Fraud here: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk