FBI Warns Of Scam Artists Posing As FBI Agents In Illinois

Scam artists are no strangers with pretending to be something that they're not to trick you out of money and personal information. Just over the last year, scammers have conned victims out of huge sums of money by impersonating:

• Government officials or governmental agencies
• Your bank or credit card company
• Tech support from a big technology company
• Family members and/or loved ones
• Charities and/or non-profit organizations
• Utility company workers
• Well known businesses or delivery services
• Celebrities or famous people
• Employers or company executives
• Court officials

And now, you can add FBI agents to the list.

The FBI Chicago Office Has Posted Warnings About Agent Imposters

The warning issued on February 20th is a strong reminder that scammers are increasingly posing as members of law enforcement to defraud the public. The FBI’s Chicago Division is actively seeking the public’s help in identifying two individuals believed to be involved in a scheme where criminals impersonate federal agents to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting victims.

According to the release, these fraudsters often contact people by phone, text, or email claiming the victim is either a suspect or a partner in a law enforcement investigation.

The FBI notes that federal authorities will never contact someone out of the blue and ask for money or personal details. Any legitimate investigation will be handled through official means, never by demanding payment or information over the phone or via email.

This Problem Isn't Confined To Just Chicago

Nationwide, scammers have been known to spoof law enforcement and government contact numbers, threatening arrest, or demanding payment via prepaid cards, cryptocurrencies, or wire transfers. Officials have warned of criminals pretending to be from local police departments, federal agencies, or even the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to steal data or coerce payments from victims.

Some of the real-world reports from fraud victims show how convincing these scams can be. In some cases, callers use full legal names, badge numbers, fake warrants, and urgent language to pressure people into compliance. In other instances, they've pretended to be sheriffs or federal agents to extract payment from victims with threats of arrest.

Here's how to protect yourself:

• Never send money or personal information to someone who initiated contact unexpectedly.

• Hang up and verify through official public contact numbers.

• Report suspicious contact to your local police and to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov.

Here's an example of how the impersonator scams work: