The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan warned last week that government imposter scams cost victims $917 million in reported losses in 2025, with the Federal Trade Commission receiving more than 375,000 reports involving people posing as government agents. Scammers impersonate federal officials and direct victims to move funds via crypto ATMs, wire transfers, or couriers. The warning came as federal officials joined the Department of Justice and the Elder Fraud Coordinating Council in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, launching the Never EVER campaign to urge people to pause and verify demands before paying.
Scammers Impersonate Federal Agents and Direct Victims to Crypto ATMs
Scammers often begin with an unexpected call claiming suspicious activity on an account. The caller may then transfer the victim to someone posing as a federal agent, who insists urgent action is needed to protect their money.
The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that scammers may ask victims to move money into accounts they falsely claim are safe, deposit funds into crypto ATMs, or hand over cash or gold to couriers. The announcement stressed: "It's all a lie. No one from the government will ever ask you to do these things. Only scammers will."
Fraudsters build the illusion carefully, using fake caller ID, official-looking letters, employee IDs, or badges. Some invent a suspended Social Security number, while others dangle government benefits or claim a crime has placed the victim's money at risk.
Victims may be pushed toward a crypto ATM, a wire transfer, a payment app, cash, gold, or a courier waiting to collect the funds. The script changes, but the ending stays the same: the money leaves, and the government agent vanishes.
Never EVER Campaign Launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
This year's Elder Justice Coordinating Council campaign, titled Never EVER, focuses on stopping the panic before scammers control the next move. Officials urged people to pause, contact someone they trust, and verify any demand involving money or personal information.
The U.S. Attorney's Office cautioned: "Never ever will someone from the government demand that you pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards."
FAQ
What did the U.S. Attorney's Office warn about last week?
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan warned last week that government imposter scams cost victims $917 million in reported losses in 2025, with the Federal Trade Commission receiving more than 375,000 reports involving people posing as government agents.
How do scammers direct victims to pay in these imposter scams?
Scammers may ask victims to move money into accounts they falsely claim are safe, deposit funds into crypto ATMs, or hand over cash or gold to couriers. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that no one from the government will ever ask people to pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
