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The scammers are telling victims their information was used to create an account to purchase illegal firearms, the FBI said.
The Boston Division of the FBI issued a warning regarding New England scammers impersonating FBI agents on Wednesday.
The scammers are telling victims their information was used to create an account to purchase illegal firearms, the FBI said.
“Scammers are utilizing fear, urgency, and increasingly sophisticated tactics—including spoofing trusted phone numbers—to push people into acting before they can think it through,” said Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be the FBI or any law enforcement agency, stop. Hang up. Then verify the caller by contacting the organization directly using a number you found yourself. That pause can shut down a scam and keep criminals from turning your panic into their payday.”
After being told about the illegal firearms account, the victim is transferred to speak with someone claiming to be an FBI special agent, officials said.
The victim would then be told to verify the phone number before the call would inexplicably disconnect. The victim would receive another call that appeared to be from FBI Boston’s main number: 857-386-2000.
The caller would provide a fake name and FBI badge number and advise the victim not to share details of their confidential communications with anyone, officials said.
The FBI reminded the public that the agency will never call or email citizens and demand payment, permanent information, ask to communicate through an encrypted application, or threaten arrest, officials said.
Scams may also occur via email, which typically contain misspellings, missing words, and incorrect grammar. The emails may also include pictures of the FBI Director or the special agent in charge and the FBI seal, the FBI said.
In 2025, 32,424 people reported government impersonation scams, resulting in the loss of more than $797 million. In Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire last year, more than $28 million was lost in the 1,092 impersonation scams reported, the FBI said.
Anyone who receives a suspected scam call should hang up, report the interaction to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and secure any financial accounts, officials said.
To be sure the FBI contacted you, call FBI Boston Division at 857-386-2000 and ask to be connected directly, the FBI said.
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