Scammers Prey on Cybercrime Victims Twice

Individuals who have previously lost money to cybercrime are now facing a new threat: scammers posing as FBI support personnel. These fraudulent actors impersonate the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to deceive victims into believing they can help recover lost funds or process complaints. However, the true intent is to perpetrate a second victimization, defrauding individuals out of more money or sensitive data.

Law enforcement officials have issued a stern warning: the IC3 will never request payment for assistance. Instead, any follow-up communication requiring further information will come directly from FBI employees or other law enforcement officers. These scams often originate from direct messages on social media platforms, emails, or phone calls, rather than official channels. Victims who encounter these deceptive tactics, whether as a first-time victim or a second-time victim seeking help, are encouraged to report the incidents via www.ic3.gov. Citizens aged 60 and above can also seek assistance from the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.