FBI Reports 39,949 Government Impersonation Scams in 2025, Kentucky Sees 475 Complaints Demanding Crypto Payments

According to the FBI's Louisville field office, scammers impersonating police and government officials are pressuring Kentucky residents with threats of arrest warrants or jury duty issues, demanding immediate cryptocurrency payments via ATMs, wire transfers, or prepaid cards. The schemes employ spoofed phone numbers, AI-generated voices, and fake documents to create urgency.

In 2025, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 39,949 government impersonation complaints nationwide with victim losses exceeding $833 million. Kentucky reported 475 complaints and losses exceeding $3.15 million. The FBI advises victims to hang up, contact their financial institutions, report incidents to local police or IC3, and avoid pressure tactics demanding immediate payments.