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Miami, FL - A growing phone scam targeting South Florida has prompted the FBI’s Miami Division to issue a public warning.
The scheme involves callers who allegedly impersonate federal agents and pressure victims into sending money under false pretenses.
According to the FBI, scammers are contacting residents and claiming to be federal officers conducting an investigation.
Victims are told they must wire or mail money either as part of a settlement or to supposedly help law enforcement catch a corrupt financial institution.
The scam is especially convincing due to it's use of caller ID spoofing.
The number may appear to be from a legitimate government agency or a Washington, D.C. office, making the call seem authentic.
The FBI stressed that no federal agency will ever call or email individuals demanding money or requesting their personal funds for an investigation.
Anyone receiving such a call is urged to hang up immediately and report the incident.
Supervisory Special Agent Michael Brown revealed that in 2024, Florida residents reported more than 1,500 impersonation scams, resulting in over $12 million in losses.
The FBI warns that these scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect, increasing the importance of public awareness.
Authorities encourage anyone who receives a suspicious call can report it through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
More information about impersonation scams and other cyber fraud schemes is available on the FBI’s official website.