Ever heard of a scam so bold it pretends to be the FBI? That’s what’s happening right now. Cybercriminals are spoofing the FBI’s official Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website — the very place where victims are supposed to report scams. It’s like setting up a fake police station to pickpocket people who walk in for help.
On September 19, the FBI issued a warning that scammers have created fake IC3 websites designed to look nearly identical to the real www.ic3.gov. These fraudulent sites collect sensitive personal details such as names, home addresses, phone numbers, banking information, and more — information that can later fuel identity theft or financial fraud.
How It Works
- Scammers register domains that look like the real IC3 website (for example: IC3gov.com, IC3.com, or ICC3.com).
- They make the sites appear professional and official, mimicking the FBI’s branding.
- Victims often land on these sites through search engines, especially by clicking on “sponsored” results.
- Once there, users are tricked into entering personal information or even paying fraudulent “fees” for recovery services.
Who’s Targeted
- U.S. residents searching online to report cybercrimes.
- Fraud victims who are already stressed and vulnerable.
- Anyone unfamiliar with spotting subtle domain name tricks.
Real-Life Example
The FBI noted that some fake IC3 sites even pretend to work with “law firms” or “crypto services” to help victims recover stolen money — something the IC3 will never do. The Bureau clarified: “The IC3 does not work with any non-law enforcement entity, such as law firms or crypto services, to recuperate lost funds or investigate cases. The IC3 will never directly contact you for information or money.”
Why You Should Care
If you end up on a spoofed IC3 site, you’re not only failing to report a crime — you’re giving criminals even more ammunition against you. With your personal data, they can open fraudulent accounts, drain your finances, or even launch new scams in your name.
How to Protect Yourself
- Always type ic3.gov directly into your browser instead of searching for it.
- Avoid clicking “sponsored” search results when looking for IC3.
- Double-check the URL — it must end in .gov.
- Don’t trust links with misspellings, odd graphics, or unprofessional formatting.
- Never pay money to any site claiming to be IC3.
- Remember: IC3 does not have social media accounts.
Quick Tips & Updates
- Quick Tip #1: Did you know? IC3 has logged more than 9 million complaints since its launch in 2000, making it one of the most important cybercrime reporting hubs in the U.S.
- Quick Tip #2: Pro Tip — bookmark www.ic3.gov today so you’ll never risk stumbling onto a spoofed site.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords & Definitions
- IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center): The FBI’s official website for reporting internet-related crime; the only legitimate site is www.ic3.gov.
- Spoofed Website: A fraudulent site designed to look like a legitimate one, with the goal of tricking users into sharing information or money.
- Domain Spoofing: Creating web addresses that look similar to real ones (e.g., “ic3gov.com” instead of “ic3.gov”).
- Top-Level Domain (.gov): The last part of a web address. The .gov extension is restricted to official U.S. government sites.
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Sensitive details that can be used to identify someone, such as their name, address, phone number, Social Security number, or banking info.
- Identity Theft: A crime where someone uses your personal information to impersonate you, often to commit financial fraud.
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