Scammers impersonate cops, use arrest threats to extort victims
FBI IC3 warns scammers impersonating police and federal agents caused over $1.6 billion in reported losses between January 2025 and July 2026.
The FBI's IC3 updated its 2022 alert on government impersonation scams, citing over $1.6 billion in losses between January 2025 and July 2026, plus 6,833 complaints with nearly $36 million in losses for the arrest-threat variant. Scammers threaten victims with arrest, prosecution, jury duty fines, or license revocation, demanding payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or couriers. Callers spoof real government numbers, including IC3's own, and some use fake uniforms, mock government facilities, and AI to appear convincing.
- Over $1.6 billion in reported losses from government impersonation scams between January 2025 and July 2026.
- Arrest-threat variant drew 6,833 complaints with nearly $36 million in losses.
- Callers spoof real government numbers, including IC3's, and use fake uniforms and mock facilities.
- Medical practitioners, immigrants, and international students are among targeted groups.
- AI is used in some cases to make calls more convincing.
- Countries
- United States
From the original article
2 min read at helpnetsecurity.com
Scammers are posing as police officers and federal agents, threatening arrest unless victims pay up, the FBI warns. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) updated an alert it first issued in 2022, citing “losses totaling more than $1. 6 billion” between January 2025 and July 2026.
By Sinisa Markovic · helpnetsecurity.com
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