Scammers Impersonate the FBI & IC3: How to Protect Yourself
The FBI recently issued a critical warning: scammers are actively creating fake websites that look like the official Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) site (www.ic3.gov). These deceptive sites are designed to steal your information and further defraud you if you’ve already been a victim of a crime.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and avoid falling prey to these increasingly sophisticated tactics.
The Growing Threat of IC3 Spoofing
Reports of these scams have surged, with over 100 incidents reported between December 2023 and February 2025. Fraudsters are exploiting the trust associated with the FBI and IC3 to convince victims they can recover lost funds – for a fee, of course.
This isn’t a new tactic, either. Similar schemes have surfaced internationally, and the FBI has repeatedly cautioned against impersonators posing as law enforcement.
How the Scam Works
Scammers frequently enough contact victims of previous crimes,like cryptocurrency investment scams,offering “help” to recover lost money. They may pose as FBI agents,Europol officials,or even lawyers.
Their ultimate goal is to trick you into providing personal information or sending them more money under false pretenses – like covering “tax costs” or ”recovery fees.”
Protecting Yourself: Key steps to Take
Fortunately, you can take several proactive steps to protect yourself from these scams.
* Always type www.ic3.gov directly into your browser’s address bar. Avoid using search engines, as scammers often pay for sponsored results that lead to their phishing pages.
* Never click on suspicious links. Be wary of links received in emails, texts, or social media messages, even if they appear to come from a legitimate source.
* Never share personal information with unsolicited contacts. This includes details like your bank account numbers, passwords, or Social Security number.
* Never send money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to anyone you’ve met online or over the phone. Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never ask for payment to recover stolen funds.
* Remember: the FBI and IC3 will never contact you directly. They won’t reach out via phone, email, social media, mobile apps, or public forums to request information or payment.
Recent Cases Highlight the danger
In April,Spanish National Police arrested six individuals involved in an AI-powered investment scam. These scammers posed as Europol agents and U.K. lawyers to extract additional funds from victims.
Two years prior, the FBI warned about scammers using spoofed phone numbers and fake credentials to impersonate government and law enforcement officials.
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, promptly report it to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Don’t become a repeat victim – vigilance and awareness are your best defenses.
