The FBI Boston warns that scammers spoof the agency’s main phone number and claim the victim is speaking with an FBI agent. The callers pressure victims to move communications to an encrypted application, increasing the risk of identity theft and account takeover.

The FBI Boston issued a warning about a new agent-impersonation scam built on phone-number spoofing. Scammers allegedly spoof FBI Boston’s main phone number to make the call appear legitimate, then present themselves as an FBI “agent” to establish authority and urgency. According to the warning, the interaction is designed to gain trust quickly—often before the victim has a chance to verify the caller’s identity through official channels. A central part of the scam involves pushing victims to switch communications to an encrypted application. The FBI cautions that this step can be used to isolate victims from verification and to facilitate further fraud. Once the victim agrees to continue through the encrypted platform, scammers can attempt to extract sensitive information, manipulate the victim into taking specific actions, or coordinate additional exploitation. The warning also describes related tactics aimed at deeper harm, including a scenario where a call asserts that someone’s information was used to open accounts connected to purchases of illegal firearms. While the exact narrative may vary, the underlying pattern is the same: spoof an official-looking phone number, claim law-enforcement involvement, and then drive the victim into a controlled communications channel. The FBI’s guidance centers on treating impersonation claims and encrypted-app pressure as red flags.