FBI Reports $1.6B Losses from Impersonation Scams

• •Impersonation scams caused over $1.6 billion in losses from January 2025 to July 2026.
• •Scammers threaten victims with arrest or fines to extort money through various methods.
• •The FBI received nearly 61,000 complaints related to these scams during the reporting period.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that impersonation scams involving fake law enforcement and government officials have cost victims over $1.6 billion from January 2025 to July 2026. Nearly 61,000 complaints were received, with an average loss of over $26,000 per complaint. Scammers typically contact victims via unsolicited phone calls, threatening arrest or fines unless payment is made. The most common scams involve claims of criminal charges or missed jury duty, with targeted scams affecting specific professions like medical practitioners. The scams also include threats of passport cancellation for foreign nationals. Payment methods used by scammers include prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, and cash. The FBI continues to warn the public about these ongoing scams.