My friend was hit with the exact same scam a couple of years ago. Told she wasn't allowed to even tell her husband or they'd both be arrested and her kid thrown into care. Looking back, it's absurd but at the time it was absolutely terrifying for her. Fortunately she didn't pay.
I'm sure I get many scam calls but once I come out with, "Eh up mate, do ya speak English?" they put the phone down.