ATLANTA — Federal authorities are warning citizens about a group of scammers contacting people across the country while posing as prosecutors or federal law enforcement. These scammers, who may be operating from outside the United States, attempt to steal money by claiming the recipient is a potential victim or suspect in a fraud investigation.
“These fraudsters are capitalizing on fear and intimidation because nobody wants to be the victim of a crime or the subject of a law enforcement investigation,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis. “The FBI will actively pursue and charge those who participate in such criminal activity.”
According to the FBI, these scammers reach out via text message, email, or phone calls. They claim you have been a victim of fraud or are a suspect in an investigation to trick you into providing money or personal information.
“Fraudsters will go to great lengths to steal money from people who, in this case, believe they are dutifully complying with lawful requests by law enforcement or prosecutors,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “No one in the U.S. Attorney’s Office will contact a citizen with demands for bank account information and money.”
Authorities advise that if you receive such a call or email, you should not provide any personal information, credit card numbers, or money. Federal officials do not contact victims or suspects to ask for money or personal details over the phone.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, remember to be suspicious of unsolicited communications and never give money or information to strangers. Trust your instincts; if a caller pressures you or seems suspicious, hang up. If you are unsure, you can verify the caller’s claims by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency directly.
“If you receive a similar call or email, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov immediately,” Keyes added.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this fraudulent scheme is encouraged to file a report at www.ic3.gov.
