Scammers posing as police have extracted $1.6 billion, FBI reports
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 61,000 complaints about scams involving impersonation of police or government officials between January 2025 and July 2026. These scams have cost victims approximately $1.6 billion, with an average loss of $26,000. The tactics often target foreign nationals and immigrants, threatening visa cancellations or extradition.
The report indicates scammers invested heavily in production value, constructing studio sets and wearing authentic-looking uniforms to lend credibility during video calls. The psychological pressure was amplified for foreign nationals and international students, who faced threats of deportation alongside financial demands, with the average victim losing $26,000.
Notably, a single sophisticated operation accounted for a disproportionate share of losses—10% of the total—while reaching fewer than 3% of victims. This suggests high-value targets were deliberately selected and groomed over time. The scams employed various pretexts, from missed jury duty to fabricated criminal connections, and represent an international phenomenon rather than a US-only problem.
This story may disproportionately affect immigrant communities and international students, as fear of deportation or visa revocation can override rational judgment during high-stress encounters. The scale of losses could erode trust in legitimate government communications, potentially making people more suspicious of genuine official contact. It may also prompt increased awareness campaigns and verification protocols from law enforcement, though the sophisticated psychological manipulation involved may remain difficult to counter effectively.