FBI Warns of $1.6 Billion in Losses from Police Impersonation Scams

Summary

The FBI says police and federal-agent impersonation scams caused over $1.6 billion in losses from January 2025 to July 2026. Scammers threaten arrest or penalties to demand payment, and officials advise verifying callers through publicly listed contacts.

Key points

• Scammers impersonate police, federal agents, and other officials, threatening arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment unless victims pay.
• Some schemes use missed jury duty, court dates, or expiring licenses as pretexts for urgent payment demands.
• The FBI reported more than $1.6 billion in losses from these scams between January 2025 and July 2026.
• The FBI logged 6,833 complaints and nearly $36 million in losses tied to jury-duty or court-date versions of the scam during that period.
• Payment demands may involve prepaid cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash delivered by a courier; callers may spoof government numbers.
• The FBI says officials will not call or text to demand payment or personal information. It advises verifying callers using official contact details found independently.
• The FBI says some scammers use fake uniforms or government-style settings, and AI is evident in some cases.