Cybercriminals have developed a disturbing new tactic that targets people who have already fallen victim to online fraud. The FBI has issued an alert about scammers who pose as agents from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), offering to help recover stolen funds only to defraud victims a second time. This double victimization scheme has been reported over 100 times between December 2023 and February 2025, highlighting a growing threat that exploits vulnerable individuals when they're most desperate for help.
The IC3 Impersonation Scheme
The scam operates through multiple contact methods, with fraudsters reaching out to victims via phone calls, emails, social media platforms, and forum posts. These bad actors claim to be IC3 employees who can either help recover previously stolen funds or who have already recovered the money. The ultimate goal is to extract additional payments or personal information from people who have already experienced financial loss.
One particularly sophisticated version of this scam involves creating fake female profiles on social networks. These profiles join support groups for financial fraud victims and recommend that members contact Jaime Quin, who is falsely presented as the Chief Director of IC3, through Telegram. Once victims establish contact through this messaging platform, the scammer completes the fraud by requesting access to financial accounts or demanding payment to release the supposedly recovered funds.
Common IC3 Impersonation Tactics:
- Creating fake profiles in fraud victim support groups
- Impersonating "Jaime Quin," falsely claiming to be IC3 Chief Director
- Directing victims to communicate through Telegram
- Claiming to have already recovered stolen funds
- Requesting access to financial accounts or payment to "release" recovered funds
Exploiting Emotional Vulnerability
What makes this scam especially insidious is how it targets people during moments of emotional distress. Victims of online fraud are often desperate to recover their losses and may be more willing to trust someone who appears to represent a legitimate law enforcement agency. The scammers leverage the credibility of the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center—a real organization that serves as the central hub for reporting cybercrime—to make their deception more convincing.
The FBI notes that these criminals are deliberately preying on the psychological vulnerability that follows being defrauded. By presenting themselves as a solution to the victim's problems, they create a false sense of hope that clouds judgment and critical thinking, making it easier to execute their scheme.
How to Protect Yourself
The FBI has issued clear guidance on how to identify and avoid these scams. Most importantly, legitimate IC3 employees will never initiate contact with fraud victims through phone calls, emails, social media, apps, or online forums. Additionally, the real IC3 will never ask for payment to recover stolen funds or refer victims to third parties who request such payments.
If you receive communication from someone claiming to be from law enforcement or a government agency, maintain a healthy skepticism. Never share sensitive information, send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to people you don't know, regardless of who they claim to be. Remember that executive-level law enforcement officials don't typically reach out directly to individuals, especially not through informal channels like social media or messaging apps.
How to Identify IC3 Impersonation Scams:
- Real IC3 employees never initiate contact via phone, email, social media, apps, or forums
- Legitimate IC3 staff will never request payment to recover funds
- The FBI won't ask for passwords, financial information, or access to private services
- Official fraud reporting should only be done through www.ic3.gov
Reporting Legitimate Fraud
For those who have genuinely experienced online fraud, the legitimate way to report incidents is through the official IC3 website at www.ic3.gov. This is the only authorized channel for submitting complaints to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. By using official channels and remaining vigilant against follow-up scams, victims can avoid being defrauded a second time while properly reporting their original incident.
As online scams continue to evolve in sophistication, maintaining awareness of these tactics becomes increasingly important. The FBI's warning serves as a reminder that even after experiencing fraud, vigilance remains essential to prevent further financial loss.