# FBI warns of AI-powered police impersonation scams

> Scammers are using deepfake technology to impersonate law enforcement and steal billions from victims.
- Title: FBI warns of AI-powered police impersonation scams · PCMAG
- Summary: Scammers are using deepfake technology to impersonate law enforcement and steal billions from victims. Never give personal information or money to someone…
- Keywords: fbi, scams, ai deepfakes, police impersonation, government impersonation, fraud, phone scams, voice deepfakes, ic3, cybercrime, technology, warns
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/fbi-scammers-are-using-ai-to-impersonate-police-to-defraud-users
- Author: Michael Kan
- Published: 2026-09-17T18:31:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fbi, scams, ai deepfakes, police impersonation, government impersonation, fraud, phone scams, voice deepfakes, ic3, cybercrime, technology
## AI deepfakes power police scams
The FBI warns that scammers are using artificial intelligence to impersonate police and government officials in phone and video calls, making their schemes appear more legitimate.

> Scammers use new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to support their impersonation schemes.
## Losses hit 1.6 billion in 18 months
Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI received nearly 61,000 complaints of law enforcement impersonation scams, with victims losing more than 1.6 billion dollars.

> Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 61,000 complaints of law enforcement or government impersonation scams, with losses totaling more than $1.6 billion.
## Scams have exploded since 2021
Government impersonation scams jumped from about 11,000 victims per year in 2021 and 2022 to nearly 61,000 complaints in just 18 months, showing rapid growth.
## How the scam works
Scammers contact victims by phone or text, sometimes spoofing official police or government numbers, then accuse them of crimes or wrongdoing while threatening severe consequences to pressure payment.

> Scammers use many different pretenses in their initial contact with victims, often accusing the victims of wrongdoing while threatening severe consequences.
## Watch for these red flags
Real law enforcement never demands payment by phone or text. Scammers ask for prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, bank wires, or cash at crypto kiosks.

> Law enforcement and government authorities will never contact members of the public by telephone or text message to demand any form of payment or to request personal or sensitive information.
## How to protect yourself
Never give personal information without verifying the caller's identity using official contact information you find yourself, not numbers they provide.

> Never give your personal information to anyone without verifying the person is who they say they are.
## Report it to the FBI
If you receive a government impersonation scam call or text, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3 dot gov.
## Key takeaway

Never give personal information or money to someone claiming to be law enforcement over the phone or text, and always verify their identity using official contact information you find yourself.