FBI: Scammers Pose as FBI IC3 Employees to ‘Help' Recover Lost Funds
Summary:
The FBI has issued a detailed public service announcement warning about a persistent scam in which cybercriminals impersonate employees of the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to exploit individuals who were previously targeted by fraud. From December 2023 to February 2025, more than 100 reports were submitted to the FBI by victims who were re-approached by scammers claiming to recover lost funds. These fraudsters pretend to be government agents offering help but instead manipulate victims into handing over more money or sensitive financial information.
Initial contact methods vary: some victims reported receiving phone calls or emails, while others were approached through social media platforms or online forums. Once engaged, the scammers commonly state that they have either recovered the victim's lost funds or can assist in doing so. This is a ruse designed to exploit the emotional vulnerability and desperation of people who have already suffered financial loss. The fraudsters often use believable details, including references to legitimate government offices and official-sounding titles to appear credible.
Security Officer Comments:
One particular scam involved the creation of fake female profiles on social media platforms. These profiles infiltrated online support groups for fraud victims and posed as sympathetic individuals who claimed to have recovered their money. These fake personas would then recommend reaching out to “Jaime Quin,” a fictitious individual introduced as the Chief Director of IC3, and directed the victims to contact him via the Telegram app. Once contact was made, Quin would claim to have already retrieved the victim's funds but would request banking information or additional payment under the pretext of releasing the funds thus revictimizing the individual.
This type of scam is part of a broader trend of government impersonation fraud. In a similar case earlier this year, Spanish authorities arrested a group of scammers who posed as Europol agents and UK lawyers. They targeted victims of previous cryptocurrency investment scams, claiming they could help recover their lost assets for a fee that was supposedly to cover “local taxes.”
Suggested Corrections:
Link(s):
https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250418
The FBI has issued a detailed public service announcement warning about a persistent scam in which cybercriminals impersonate employees of the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to exploit individuals who were previously targeted by fraud. From December 2023 to February 2025, more than 100 reports were submitted to the FBI by victims who were re-approached by scammers claiming to recover lost funds. These fraudsters pretend to be government agents offering help but instead manipulate victims into handing over more money or sensitive financial information.
Initial contact methods vary: some victims reported receiving phone calls or emails, while others were approached through social media platforms or online forums. Once engaged, the scammers commonly state that they have either recovered the victim's lost funds or can assist in doing so. This is a ruse designed to exploit the emotional vulnerability and desperation of people who have already suffered financial loss. The fraudsters often use believable details, including references to legitimate government offices and official-sounding titles to appear credible.
Security Officer Comments:
One particular scam involved the creation of fake female profiles on social media platforms. These profiles infiltrated online support groups for fraud victims and posed as sympathetic individuals who claimed to have recovered their money. These fake personas would then recommend reaching out to “Jaime Quin,” a fictitious individual introduced as the Chief Director of IC3, and directed the victims to contact him via the Telegram app. Once contact was made, Quin would claim to have already retrieved the victim's funds but would request banking information or additional payment under the pretext of releasing the funds thus revictimizing the individual.
This type of scam is part of a broader trend of government impersonation fraud. In a similar case earlier this year, Spanish authorities arrested a group of scammers who posed as Europol agents and UK lawyers. They targeted victims of previous cryptocurrency investment scams, claiming they could help recover their lost assets for a fee that was supposedly to cover “local taxes.”
Suggested Corrections:
- The IC3 will never directly communicate with individuals via phone, email, social media, phone apps, or public forums. If further information is needed, individuals will be contacted by FBI employees from local field offices or other law enforcement officers.
- Scammers will change aliases and tactics; however, the scheme generally remains the same.
- Never share sensitive information with people you have met only online or over the phone.
- The IC3 will not ask for payment to recover lost funds, nor will they refer a victim to a company requesting payment for recovering funds.
- Do not send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other assets to people you do not know or have met only online or over the phone.
Link(s):
https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250418