The FBI’s IC3 warns that criminals are posing as IC3/FBI staff to lure prior scam victims into new “re-targeting” fraud. The scheme may use deepfake-style videos, spoofed websites, and requests for personal information.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued a public warning highlighting a growing impersonation tactic aimed at people who have previously reported scams. According to the alert, criminals contact victims while posing as IC3 or FBI personnel, then attempt to restart or escalate fraud by directing them toward new fraudulent instructions or payment requests. The FBI notes that scammers may rely on modern deception methods, including AI-generated or deepfake-style video content, alongside spoofed websites that resemble legitimate domains. In these scams, the goal is often to establish credibility quickly—using law-enforcement branding, urgency, and a “case review” pretext—before obtaining sensitive details such as personal information. Once attackers gain the victim’s trust, they may attempt to move the victim into additional fraud stages, including account access or payment channels. The IC3’s warning focuses on common red flags: unsolicited contact claiming to be from the FBI/IC3, links to look-alike sites, and requests for private data. Consumers are urged to treat such messages cautiously, verify independently through official channels, and avoid sharing information based solely on the caller’s claims.