Fake IC3 agents who say they can get stolen money back
FBI Internet Crime Complaint CenterNationwide
On July 20, 2026, the FBI updated its warning about criminals impersonating personnel connected to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The announcement, alert I-072026-PSA, says the scheme targets people who were already scammed, uses AI-generated video, and uses spoofed websites that collect personal information.
Complainants told IC3 the contact arrived by email, phone, social media, or an online ad, almost always with a claim that lost funds had been recovered or could be recovered. One pattern uses fake social-media profiles of FBI personnel. After someone says they will file an IC3 report, an impostor reaches them on Facebook Messenger, moves the chat to Telegram or Messenger, and sends a link that is supposed to update the report. The FBI says the link may carry malicious code or collect more financial data. Another pattern uses AI video of a senior FBI leader telling people to file on a look-alike IC3 site. That site accepts a short form, issues a reference number, and says someone will be in touch. Further links just return to the home page.
Red flags
- Someone on social media, Telegram, or the phone says they are with the FBI or IC3 and can recover money you lost.
- You are sent a link to update an IC3 complaint instead of being told to type ic3.gov yourself.
- A video of an official promotes a complaint site whose address is not www.ic3.gov.
- The form asks only for a name, phone, email, scam type, and loss amount, then promises a follow-up.
How to protect yourself
- The FBI says IC3 has no social-media presence and does not investigate or recover funds through Facebook, Telegram, or similar apps. Any page offering recovery in IC3's name is fraudulent.
- IC3 will not contact you directly by phone, email, social media, a phone app, online chat, or a public forum. If more information is needed, the FBI says contact comes from employees at a local field office or other law enforcement.
- Type www.ic3.gov into the address bar. If you use search, skip sponsored results. Confirm the address ends in .gov.
- IC3 will not ask you to pay to recover funds, and it will not refer you to a company that charges for recovery.
If you are hit
- Do not send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other assets, and do not click the recovery link.
- File the complaint only at ic3.gov which you opened yourself.
- Report the impersonating social-media account to that platform. If you entered account details, tell your financial institution.
Questions
Is Fake IC3 agents who say they can get stolen money back a scam?
On July 20, 2026, the FBI updated its warning about criminals impersonating personnel connected to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The announcement, alert I-072026-PSA, says the scheme targets people who were already scammed, uses AI-generated video, and uses spoofed websites that collect personal information. This page summarizes a public warning from FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center dated July 20, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
Do not send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other assets, and do not click the recovery link. File the complaint only at https://www.ic3.gov, which you opened yourself. Report the impersonating social-media account to that platform. If you entered account details, tell your financial institution.
Sources
- FBI Warns of Scammers Impersonating the IC3FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
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