The FBI has updated an alert from 2022 about scammers impersonating police officers and federal agents. The revised warning, issued through the Internet Crime Complaint Center, notes that victims have reported losses exceeding $1.6 billion since January 2025.
In the scheme, callers threaten arrest and demand payment, often under pressure. The update signals that the tactic remains effective, with the new loss figure reflecting a significant rise in reported incidents.
The FBI describes the callers as posing as law enforcement, meaning their threats are fraudulent. The alert is meant to inform the public about the scam and its financial impact.