Scammers are weaponizing artificial intelligence to impersonate FBI personnel and revictimize people who have already lost money to fraud. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), part of the FBI, issued an updated public service announcement warning that criminals are creating deepfake videos of senior FBI leaders to lure victims into submitting personal information on fake government websites.

How Are Scammers Using Deepfakes to Target Victims?

The scheme works by exploiting people who have already fallen victim to scams. When victims realize they've been defrauded and threaten to report the crime to the FBI, scammers strike again. They contact victims via social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Telegram, claiming to be FBI agents who can help recover lost funds. The criminals then send links to spoofed websites that look nearly identical to the legitimate IC3 website.

In one documented example, scammers created AI-generated videos depicting a senior FBI leader encouraging people to submit complaints on a fake IC3 website. The deepfake videos were convincing enough to fool victims into believing they were watching real government officials. The spoofed website collected sensitive information including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and financial details. Once victims submitted their information, they received a reference number and were told someone would contact them, but the real goal was stealing their data.

What Makes These Deepfakes So Dangerous?

Deepfake technology has advanced to the point where it's often difficult to distinguish from genuine video. Scammers leverage this realism to create a false sense of security and legitimacy. The FBI notes that criminals use AI-generated videos for real-time video chats with alleged company executives or law enforcement, and they create videos for private communications to "prove" the online contact is with a real person.

What makes this particularly insidious is that scammers are specifically targeting people who have already lost money. These victims are psychologically vulnerable and desperate to recover their funds, making them more likely to trust someone claiming to be a government official. The combination of AI-generated video, spoofed websites, and social engineering creates multiple layers of deception.

How to Protect Yourself From Deepfake Impersonation Scams

• Verify the Official Website: Always type www.ic3.gov directly into your browser's address bar rather than using a search engine. Avoid clicking on any "sponsored" search results, as these are often paid imitators designed to redirect traffic from the legitimate IC3 website.
• Check for URL Authenticity: Verify that the website URL ends in.gov and is correctly entered as www.ic3.gov. Scammers often use slight variations in domain names to deceive visitors.
• Look for Deepfake Artifacts: Examine videos closely for subtle imperfections such as distorted hands or feet, unrealistic facial features, inaccurate shadows, watermarks, voice lag time during calls, and unnatural movements. AI-generated content sometimes contains these telltale signs.
• Listen to Voice Carefully: Pay attention to the tone and word choice in phone calls or voice messages. AI-generated voice cloning can sound nearly identical to real people, but listen for unnatural pauses, inconsistent tone, or voice lag during video calls.
• Never Share Sensitive Information: The IC3 will never ask for payment to recover lost funds, nor will it request personal or financial information via email, phone, social media, or messaging apps. If you're unsure about a website's legitimacy, do not enter any sensitive data.
• Report Impersonation Accounts: If you encounter social media profiles or pages claiming to represent the IC3, report them immediately to that platform's safety or support contacts. The IC3 does not maintain any official social media presence.

The FBI emphasizes that IC3 will never directly communicate with individuals via phone, email, social media, messaging apps, or public forums. If the agency needs additional information from you, contact will come from FBI employees at local field offices or other law enforcement officers.

Scammers rely on fear and urgency to manipulate victims. The FBI recommends taking a moment to verify surprising videos or images through reputable news sources or official channels before responding. Be wary of online content that elicits strong emotions like anger, fear, or disbelief, as these emotional triggers are often used to bypass critical thinking.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this scam, file a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Include as much information as possible about how you were contacted, the methods of communication used, any financial transactions, and details about your interaction with the scammer. Victims aged 60 or older who need assistance filing a complaint can contact the Department of Justice Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.

The emergence of deepfake-powered scams represents a significant evolution in cybercriminal tactics. As AI technology becomes more accessible, the threat of sophisticated impersonation schemes will likely continue to grow. Staying vigilant and understanding how these scams operate is essential for protecting yourself and others from becoming victims of AI-enabled fraud.