The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has issued an updated warning about scammers impersonating bureau personnel to target previous fraud victims. The alert, published July 20, 2026, describes how criminals pose as IC3 staff members who claim to be handling victims' complaints, using this trusted identity to steal additional money from people who have already suffered financial losses.
This represents an escalation of a threat the FBI first flagged in April 2025. The bureau reports that scammers have refined their techniques over the past year, adding sophisticated deception methods to make their impersonation more convincing and harder to detect.
The attackers now deploy AI-generated video content featuring what appear to be FBI officials, lending false credibility to their schemes. They have also created spoofed versions of the IC3 website that mimic the legitimate portal where victims file complaints. These fake sites can capture personal information and create a false sense of security for targets who believe they are interacting with genuine law enforcement.
The scam specifically targets individuals who have already reported losses to IC3, making them particularly vulnerable. These victims may be more susceptible to contact from someone claiming to represent the agency handling their case, especially if the scammer demonstrates knowledge of their previous complaint.
Anyone contacted by supposed FBI personnel should independently verify the communication through official FBI channels before providing any information or money. Legitimate FBI agents will never request payment to recover lost funds or resolve complaints. Suspicious contacts should be reported directly to the real IC3 at ic3.gov, and victims should avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unverified sources claiming FBI affiliation.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/07/21/fbi-ic3-impersonation-scam-warning/