Executive Summary
- Glasgow Police report multiple complaints regarding an FBI impersonation scam.
- Scammers demand cash withdrawals or wire transfers to resolve non-existent legal trouble.
- Officials clarify that the FBI never demands payment or threatens arrest via phone or email.
- Victims are urged to report incidents to local police and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).
GLASGOW, Ky. – The Glasgow Police Department has issued a public advisory following multiple reports of a telephone scam involving individuals impersonating agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to law enforcement officials, the department has received several complaints indicating that the fraudulent scheme is actively circulating within the Glasgow community.
Police report that the perpetrators contact residents claiming to be federal agents and demand immediate financial action to resolve alleged legal issues. The callers specifically instruct victims to either withdraw cash for a physical meeting or to wire transfer funds to “pay off their trouble.” Authorities noted that these demands are often accompanied by threats of arrest if the payment is not made.
In an official statement, the Glasgow Police Department emphasized that the FBI does not contact private citizens via telephone or email to demand payment, nor does the bureau request wire transfers to settle legal matters or avoid arrest. Officials urged residents to verify the identity of any caller claiming to represent a federal agency and to disengage immediately if financial demands are made.
Authorities have requested that any individuals who believe they may be victims of this or similar scams file a report with their local law enforcement agency. Additionally, complaints should be submitted to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov to assist in the tracking and investigation of these cybercrimes.
Fraud Prevention and Public Safety Context
The rise in law enforcement impersonation scams represents a significant challenge for public safety officials, as perpetrators often utilize spoofing technology to make calls appear legitimate. From a prevention standpoint, these alerts serve as a primary defense mechanism, educating the public on the procedural strictures of federal agencies which prohibit the collection of fines or settlements via wire transfer or cash handoffs. While investigations into such telecommunications fraud are complex due to jurisdictional boundaries, reporting data to central hubs like the IC3 is critical for federal authorities to identify patterns and dismantle organized fraud networks.