FBI Warning: IC3 Impersonation Scam Targets Victims of Online Fraud and Blackmail
- Steven G.
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Excerpts of this article were originally published by the FBIs IC3 on April 18, 2025 here: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250418
When someone is targeted by online scams or sextortion, the emotional fallout can be devastating. What makes it worse is when criminals circle back to scam the same victim twice.
That’s exactly what’s happening now. Criminals are impersonating the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation — to pose as law enforcement and “fund recovery agents.”
This blog post breaks down the latest FBI warning (Alert Number: I-041825-PSA) and explains why victims of blackmail, sextortion, or online financial fraud need to be especially cautious.
What Is the IC3 Impersonation Scam?
Between December 2023 and February 2025, the FBI received over 100 reports of scammers impersonating IC3 employees.
Their tactic is simple but cruel:
Find past scam victims through forums, victim support groups, or social media.
Pose as helpful contacts — often a “former victim” who claims to know someone who can recover stolen funds.
Introduce the target to a fake IC3 “Chief Director” named “Jaime Quin” via Telegram.
Promise recovered funds in exchange for personal information, banking access, or upfront “recovery fees.”
In some cases, scammers use female personas to build trust and then hand the victim off to “Quin” to close the trap. These scams can escalate quickly, leading to further financial loss or even new blackmail threats.
Why This Matters for Blackmail Victims
Many individuals targeted in sextortion or romance scams are later approached by these same networks. Once your name, email, or phone number appears in underground databases, you become a repeat target.
These recovery scams are not legitimate FBI contact — they’re professional con games designed to bleed victims a second time.
👉 At GrayCloak, we regularly assist clients who’ve been approached by fake recovery “agents” and so-called “FBI officials.” Recognizing the red flags early can prevent further damage.
How to Spot a Fake IC3 Contact
The real IC3 will never:
Contact you directly through email, social media, phone, or messaging apps like Telegram.
Charge a fee to recover lost funds.
Refer you to private companies that demand upfront payment.
Ask for cryptocurrency, gift cards, or access to your financial accounts.
The moment anyone claims to be from the IC3 or FBI and asks for money — it’s a scam.
How to Protect Yourself Against Recovery Scams
If you’ve already been targeted once, take these precautions immediately:
Do not share personal or financial details with anyone claiming to be an “agent” or “recovery specialist.”
Verify any contact through official channels. You can find FBI field offices at www.fbi.gov.
Never send cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers to unknown individuals.
Be skeptical of anyone approaching you in victim support forums. Scammers often pose as “fellow victims.”
Contact a licensed professional if you are unsure whether the communication is legitimate.
How to Report a Suspected Scam
If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from IC3:
Report it at www.ic3.gov.
Include:
Names, aliases, email addresses, or usernames of the scammer.
Communication platforms used.
Financial details such as payment methods, amounts, or cryptocurrency addresses.
A brief description of how contact was initiated and what was requested.
Victims aged 60 or older can call the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) for assistance.
Why Early Professional Help Matters
For blackmail victims, these impersonation scams are part of a cycle of exploitation. Once scammers know someone is vulnerable, they can re-target them months or even years later.
Working with me, a licensed investigator and privacy specialist, I can help you:
Identify scam patterns quickly.
Safeguard your personal data.
Block further extortion attempts.
Reduce reputational and financial damage.
GrayCloak: Discreet Help for Blackmail and Extortion Victims
If you’ve been contacted by someone claiming to be from the IC3, FBI, or any “recovery service,” do not respond.
🛡 GrayCloak is a licensed blackmail intervention and privacy consultancy serving clients in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.
We help clients:
Shut down active blackmail and sextortion campaigns.
Navigate impersonation and recovery scams safely.
Protect reputation, assets, and digital security.
Contact me today — discreet, fast, and experienced support when you need it most.
Email SG@GrayCloak.com
NOTICE: I run a private blackmail and privacy risk mitigation firm. I do not recover lost or stolen money from blackmail, sextortion or other scams.
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