US EditionKentuckians Lose $3.15M to Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate local sheriff's offices to extort money and personal data, with 475 complaints and $3.15 million lost in Kentucky last year, FBI Louisville reports.
- On Wednesday, the FBI Louisville Field Office warned Kentuckians after local agencies reported rising phone scams impersonating law enforcement to extort money or steal data, mostly targeting the local sheriff's office.
- Nationwide totals reveal the Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded over 39,949 government-impersonation complaints in 2025, with losses exceeding $833 million; Kentucky reported 475 complaints and losses over $3.15 million.
- Using spoofed phone numbers and false credentials, scammers pose as officials, use artificial intelligence or official‑looking court documents, pressure victims aggressively, and demand payment via cryptocurrency ATMs, prepaid cards, or wire transfers.
- The FBI advises victims to stop contact, notify financial institutions and local law enforcement, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and 'take a beat' before sharing information.
- These schemes can arrive by phone calls and emails aiming to intimidate targets, and the FBI directs the public to the FBI website and urges timely reporting to the IC3.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The Advocate-Messenger
FBI warns of rising sheriff impersonation scams in Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) – The FBI Louisville Field Office has seen an increase in reported fraud schemes targeting Kentuckians through unsolicited phone calls, in which scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials to extort money or steal personally identifiable information. Criminal scammers represent themselves as officials from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across Kentucky, and contact victims using spoofed p…
FBI Louisville warns of various scams targeting Kentuckians - WNKY News 40 Television
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office is warning the public about an increase in scams targeting Kentuckians. Officials say these scams include unsolicited phone calls where scammers impersonate law enforcement or government officials to gain money or to steal personal information. According to the FBI Louisville Field Office, scammers contact victims using spoofed phone numbers and other tactics to appear…
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