Scammers Impersonating Federal Officials Cause $800 Million in Losses, FBI Reports
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has reported a significant increase in scams involving individuals impersonating federal officials, resulting in nearly $800 million in losses in 2025. The number of complaints rose from approximately 17,300 in 2024 to nearly 32,500 in 2025. These scams are among the top five cyber-enabled fraud crimes, alongside romance, tech support, and investment scams. The rise in impersonation scams is attributed to the use of artificial intelligence-driven tools that enable scammers to convincingly pose as government officials. AI was specifically mentioned in 260 complaints, with $7 million lost in those cases. The report highlights the need for increased diligence in cybersecurity and electronic interactions. 
