The FBI is warning Americans about what it called an “insidious new twist” on a long-running fraud scheme in which criminals impersonate federal law enforcement agents to steal money. In a September 29, 2026, alert, FBI Newark said victims in New Jersey reported scammers posing as FBI, DEA and Secret Service agents while making the calls appear more credible by spoofing actual government phone numbers.
The agency said the newer version of the scam is built to make verification harder. In some cases, callers use the names of real federal agents. When targets try to confirm the contact, the FBI said, they may reach a number that looks legitimate or get an answer from someone who confirms the named agent does work there, even though the contact itself is part of the fraud.
FBI Newark detailed how the scheme is unfolding
FBI Newark said the fraud itself is not new. Criminals have posed as federal law enforcement officers for decades, pressuring people to send money or disclose sensitive information by making the contact sound urgent and official.
What is new, according to the agency, is the way scammers are layering in details that can mislead even cautious people. The bureau said criminals are spoofing the phone numbers of federal field offices and introducing themselves with the names of real agents. That can leave victims believing they have done their homework when they have not.
The agency also described one case in which a fraudster used an online virtual meeting platform and staged a background to resemble an FBI office, complete with a desk, an FBI seal and a man in a suit. The FBI said that setup made the scam even harder for potential victims to spot before sending money.
The FBI warning specifically says victims in New Jersey have reported the scheme. The bureau did not say how many victims have come forward, how much money has been lost, or which communities inside New Jersey were affected.
That leaves some gaps. The FBI also did not say whether the same exact tactics have been reported elsewhere, though other FBI field offices have separately warned this year about fraudsters impersonating federal agents or prosecutors in scams targeting Americans for money and personal information.
For local residents, the most concrete point is that the Newark field office said the calls are reaching people in New Jersey and are designed to survive a basic fact check. A caller ID that matches a government office, the use of a real agent’s name or a polished video setup should not be treated as proof that the contact is legitimate, according to the bureau’s warning.
The FBI’s guidance starts with a bright line: “Never send money to anyone claiming to be a federal law enforcement agent.” The agency said people who receive this kind of contact should independently look up the official phone number for the agency and call to verify the identity of the person who reached out.
If someone cannot reach a local field office, the FBI said they should contact the agency’s main office in Washington, D.C. The bureau added that most federal law enforcement agencies have toll-free 800 numbers that can be used for verification.
The agency also said anyone targeted through a virtual meeting platform should take photos or record the video and submit it to tips.fbi.gov. People can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI to speak directly with a real FBI representative, according to the September 29 alert.