FBI / Federal Agent Scam Phone Numbers

How the FBI / Federal Agent Scam works

The caller claims to be a federal law-enforcement agent — most commonly FBI, DEA, or U.S. Marshals — investigating the recipient for a crime such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or identity theft. The script offers to "clear" the recipient's name in exchange for cooperation, which involves wiring money to a "secure account" or buying gift cards to "preserve evidence." Federal agents do not call to negotiate clearing your name, and they do not accept payments by gift card or wire.

Common pressure tactics

• Fake agent badge numbers
• Drug-trafficking accusations
• Money-laundering accusations
• Demands cooperation under threat

The script you'll usually hear

Most fbi / federal agent calls open with one of three hooks: a fake "officer" or "agent" introducing themselves with a badge number, a recorded voice claiming an account or status has been frozen, or an aggressive demand to "respond within the hour" to avoid a consequence. The script then escalates pressure quickly. Recipients who push back are typically transferred to a "supervisor" who continues the same pitch with a slightly more authoritative tone — there is rarely a real second person on the line; it's almost always the same call-center agent putting on a different voice.

If you receive one of these calls

1. Hang up. Do not "press 1" or stay on the line — both confirm a working number.
2. Report it to the agency the caller pretended to be. For Federal Bureau of Investigation, find the agency's official complaint channel and forward the time of call, the spoofed caller-ID number, and any voicemail recording you have.
3. Block the number on your device. If the calls keep coming from new numbers, consider a call-blocking app or the call-screening features your phone or carrier already offers.