Scammers are increasingly impersonating the FBI on social media platforms, targeting individuals who have already fallen victim to cybercrimes. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued a warning on July 20, 2026, updating the public about these fraudulent activities that aim to deceive and revictimize crime victims.
Two Main Scams Identified
According to the IC3, there are two primary schemes employed by these fraudsters. The first involves creating fake social media profiles that mimic FBI personnel or the IC3 itself. Scammers may infiltrate online communities for fraud victims or directly contact individuals, falsely claiming to represent the FBI.
In some cases, victims are approached by someone posing as an FBI agent after they have already been targeted by another scam. This impersonator suggests they will report the incident to the FBI or file an IC3 complaint, subsequently directing victims to a fraudulent IC3 update page or continuing the conversation through messaging apps.
Use of AI-Generated Content
The second scheme involves the use of AI-generated videos that depict senior FBI officials. These videos direct users to a spoofed IC3 website where victims are encouraged to report their cybercrimes. The scammers collect this information and use it for further fraudulent activities.
The IC3 noted that victims have reported receiving emails or phone calls, as well as encountering advertisements on social media or forums. Most complainants indicated that the scammers claimed to have recovered their lost funds or offered assistance in doing so.
Official Warnings from the IC3
The IC3 has made it clear that any social media profiles or pages claiming to represent them are fraudulent. They emphasize that the IC3 does not have a social media presence and does not investigate crimes or assist in recovering lost funds through these channels. The IC3 stated, “Any social media profiles or pages claiming to represent IC3 or offering to recover lost money are fraudulent and are actively attempting to steal your personal or financial information.”
Victims who report incidents through the official IC3 website will only be contacted by actual FBI employees from local field offices or other law enforcement officials. The IC3 advises individuals not to post about their experiences with cybercrime on social media, as this may attract further scams.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
