Scammers impersonating police and government officials have stolen $1.6 billion
Scammers are calling people pretending to be police or government officials, convincing them to send money or gift cards. Victims have lost an average of $26,000 each in these calls, which sometimes include fake video.
- Report priority
- Medium
What is known
- Scammers make unsolicited phone calls impersonating law enforcement or government workers.
- They pressure victims into sending money or purchasing gift cards by claiming there is a legal problem, unpaid debt, or warrant.
- The calls sometimes include deepfake video to appear more convincing.
- Victims transfer funds or buy cards believing they are resolving a real legal issue.
What to do
If you have received an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be police or a government official demanding payment or gift cards, watch for callers who threaten arrest, claim you owe taxes or fines, or say your identity has been stolen unless you pay immediately.
Hang up and call your local police non-emergency line or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center to report the call. Do not send money, buy gift cards, or share personal information with callers you did not initiate contact with. Real police and government agencies do not demand payment by phone or gift card.
Reported details
These sophisticated scams often involved unsolicited phone calls and sometimes video calls, with victims losing an average of $26,000 each.