Beware of law enforcement imposters

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is warning that scammers are impersonating the agency and other law enforcement organizations. Some messages claim that the target has illegally supported a terrorist network. Others pretend to offer compensation for victims of a crime.

DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime is warning that criminals are posing as DOJ and other agencies like the FBI, INTERPOL, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN). Scammers then scare their targets by claiming that they have illegally supported a terrorist organization, with the DOJ’s warning on this trend mentioning the terrorist group Boko Haram by name. Fraudsters may then pressure their victims into paying a “fine” for these alleged violations.

DOJ also shared that scammers may pose as DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), with phony offers of support. If you have been previously scammed, those same scammers may reach out as OVC, extending victim compensation or restitution. These fake offers may seek sensitive personal information or cash from victims under the guise of filing fees.

It’s stressful to get any message purportedly from law enforcement. If you receive one, keep the following tips in mind:

• Law enforcement officers will never demand money from you if you have not been convicted of a crime following a trial or plea agreement.
• Governmental agencies will never request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or payment apps like Venmo or Cash App.
• It is rare to receive unsolicited offers of victim compensation, especially if you have not filed a complaint or a report or gone through an intake process.
• Verify that the person is who they say they are. U.S. agencies will not contact you from a foreign phone number. Emails from federal law enforcement will come from senders with a “.gov” address.

Reporting Scams

If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam:

• File a complaint at Fraud.org: We will share your complaint with our network of consumer protection agencies and law enforcement partners.
• Report it to the FBI: Use the IC3.gov website to report directly to the agency.
• Inform the FTC: File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.