Government official impersonation scam complaints doubled in 2025, FBI report shows
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Government official impersonation scam complaints doubled in 2025, FBI report shows
"Recorded government impersonation complaints rose from some 17,300 in 2024 to nearly 32,500 in 2025, resulting in approximately $797 million in losses last year."
"AI was referenced 260 times in complaints involving government impersonations, with $7 million lost in cases with those AI references, highlighting the technology's role in facilitating scams."
"Government impersonation can be especially effective because scammers exploit the built-in authority people associate with official institutions, prompting victims to act quickly out of fear."
""It has never been more important to be diligent with your cybersecurity, social media footprint, and electronic interactions. Cyber threats will continue to evolve as technology advances.""
The FBI reported a significant increase in complaints regarding cyberscammers impersonating government officials, rising from 17,300 in 2024 to nearly 32,500 in 2025. Losses attributed to these scams reached approximately $797 million, up from $405 million the previous year. This type of fraud ranks among the top five cyber-enabled crimes. The rise is linked to advancements in artificial intelligence, which scammers use to convincingly impersonate officials. The report emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity as threats evolve with technology.
Read at Nextgov.com
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