(The Epoch Times)—The FBI warned Thursday that scammers were impersonating law enforcement officers and government officials to dupe people into giving up money and personal information.
Almost 61,000 complaints regarding such impersonation scams were reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI said. The losses from these complaints totaled over $1.6 billion, the FBI said in a Sept. 17 public service announcement.
The fraudsters use various pretenses to make initial contact with the target, including accusing them of wrongdoing and threatening negative consequences.
For instance, the scammer can accuse the target of being connected to a crime and threaten them with arrest and prosecution. The targets are asked to pay money to have the charges removed. According to the FBI, these types of scams make up the largest share of government impersonation complaints.
A second type of scam involves the fraudster accusing the target of failing to report for jury duty and threatening them with fines. The scammer can also allege that the target has missed a court date and asks them to make a payment, failing which an arrest warrant may be issued.
Between January 2025 and July 2026, IC3 received 6,833 complaints about jury duty scams, resulting in losses of nearly $36 million.
In another scam, the fraudster claims that the target’s driver’s license, passport, or professional license is about to expire and demands payment to renew it. IC3 received 496 complaints of this type of scam from January 2025 to July 2026, resulting in losses of over $348,000.
Scammers can also impersonate U.S.-based foreign diplomatic officials or foreign law enforcement agencies to defraud various ethnic communities, international students, and foreign nationals.
The fraudsters may threaten the target with cancellation of their home nation’s passport or extradition. In some cases, the scammers may wear bogus police uniforms and use fake sets of government facilities. IC3 received 1,809 such complaints, totaling more than $140 million in losses, between January 2025 and July 2026.
In one case of impersonation crime, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in a Feb. 20 statement that five people were charged with impersonating immigration judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officers.
The defendants allegedly carried out sham immigration proceedings, including court appearances and interviews for asylum, which the victims attended through videoconferencing. The scammers wore law enforcement uniforms and judicial robes and appeared in front of backgrounds resembling government offices and courtrooms.
In another case, 19 individuals were arrested across the United States, Ecuador, Colombia, and El Salvador in a visa-fraud scheme, the DOJ said in a Dec. 3 statement.
The defendants and co-conspirators allegedly impersonated U.S. government officials through video calls and convinced victims to make wire transfers.
In its recent statement, the FBI said scammers can demand various forms of payment, such as through cryptocurrency, bank wires, couriers, and prepaid cards. The agency said government or law enforcement officials will never request payments through courier, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards.
“Scammers will use a variety of approaches while impersonating these officials, such as using urgent and aggressive tones, refusing to speak to or leave messages with anyone other than the targeted victim, keeping victims on the phone for the duration of the scam, or urging victims not to tell family, friends, financial institutions, or law enforcement about the call,” the FBI said.
Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to commit scams.
To tackle impersonation fraud harming Americans, a group of lawmakers introduced the AI Fraud Accountability Act in March, according to a March 4 statement from the office of Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.).
AI tools have now made it easier to create realistic audio-visual impersonations of individuals, opening up new ways for fraudsters to carry out scams, the statement said.
The measure seeks to create a new offense under the Communications Act that would prohibit individuals from falsely presenting themselves as a real or imaginary person through digital impersonation with the intent to defraud people.
“As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, criminals are exploiting it to scam hardworking Americans,” Buchanan said.
“We are seeing a disturbing rise in AI-generated voice clones and deepfake videos that convincingly impersonate loved ones, business executives, government officials and trusted institutions to steal money.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.