“FBI” called me

[trumptrain]

I recently received a call my legit phone from a number that had caller ID of “US government”. I answered, and the man identified himself as a special agent with his name, and some ID number. He then began to tell me how I’ve been frequenting sites that are used to solicit prostitution, and ask if I had been in contact with a specific name girl. And he also asked me if I was familiar with this. I just listened and then told him that I have absolutely no idea what he’s even saying to me, and he tried to double down on the name and specified dates that I contacted this person, all of which are false because I hadn’t used that site that he mentioned to contact anyone in the past few years, even though he said I had done it for the first time five months ago and continued in the past five months. I feel like this was a scam, so I asked him if he knew who I was, because he had never sent my name to me, and he started to stammer and say of course I know who you are. So I cut them off and I told him that he was full of crap, and I had no idea what he was talking about, and that this was one of the worst ID theft schemes that I’ve ever seen and I hung up. Afterwards I googled the number and told me that the number was actually an FBI field office in Albany, New York. But also an article popped up from 2021 saying happy FBI field office main line phone number Edmond duplicated and people are calling scams using that number. I say all of that too in form the masses. I was severely panicked at first, because there was enough information that the call could have been credible, even though the information didn’t exactly match, anything that I may or may not have dreamt about. I certainly would be interested to know if anyone else has had one of these experiences. It would also be valuable to know if it was actually a legitimate phone call so that I could make adjustments to some areas of my life.

[trumptrain]

Then they called back…. I didn’t answer.

[Fizley]

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The FBI is not going after local Jon's. FBi is more concerned about trafficking and transportation for prostitution across state lines. So unless you have been involved in one, it's a scam.

There was a hoobiest on this site who used to a group of hobbiests to a vacation place across state lines and he used to stop at the state line, make them get out of the car, he would then drive across the state line and stop, and the providers would walk across the state line. He would pick them up on the other side and then carry onto their destination.

All to avoid the wrath of the FBI.

[Cendell M]

Originally Posted by trumptrain

I recently received a call my legit phone from a number that had caller ID of “US government”. I answered, and the man identified himself as a special agent with his name, and some ID number. He then began to tell me how I’ve been frequenting sites that are used to solicit prostitution, and ask if I had been in contact with a specific name girl. And he also asked me if I was familiar with this. I just listened and then told him that I have absolutely no idea what he’s even saying to me, and he tried to double down on the name and specified dates that I contacted this person, all of which are false because I hadn’t used that site that he mentioned to contact anyone in the past few years, even though he said I had done it for the first time five months ago and continued in the past five months. I feel like this was a scam, so I asked him if he knew who I was, because he had never sent my name to me, and he started to stammer and say of course I know who you are. So I cut them off and I told him that he was full of crap, and I had no idea what he was talking about, and that this was one of the worst ID theft schemes that I’ve ever seen and I hung up. Afterwards I googled the number and told me that the number was actually an FBI field office in Albany, New York. But also an article popped up from 2021 saying happy FBI field office main line phone number Edmond duplicated and people are calling scams using that number. I say all of that too in form the masses. I was severely panicked at first, because there was enough information that the call could have been credible, even though the information didn’t exactly match, anything that I may or may not have dreamt about. I certainly would be interested to know if anyone else has had one of these experiences. It would also be valuable to know if it was actually a legitimate phone call so that I could make adjustments to some areas of my life.

Total scam!

[LadyMoxie]

That's crazy! Good thing is you didn't do nothing stupiid. Definitely a scam!

[Clit Eastwood]

Was the initials of that agent DT by any chance?

[trumptrain]

I don’t remember. His Hispanic+New York accent, the connection, and my racing mind all were enough that I don’t remember what he said his name was. After I go the second call and declined it, I blocked the number. I figure if they had any other piece of info on me and it was legitimate, they would call back from another number or email or something. But I believe it is a scam. He was pressing me sir specifics about a contact I had with a specific person on a specific site on a specific date just 6 months ago and I haven’t contacted anyone on that site for well over two years and no one with that name. I think the scam here is to use enough specific probable detail to panic the recipient into revealing enough information to gain some sort of confession in order to use that as an extortion to get some cash. My motto is, “I have no idea that kind of stuff even exists. You got the wrong guy.” Give NO info, don’t even give a “ uh-huh”. I listened in silence and then told him I was oblivious that this even happens and that he was a scam artist and hung up. Plus, I have NEVER used my legit phone for any hobby communications. I always use an email on a vpn or burner number for any communication I want to keep private. All that to say, stay safe, have fun, and keep your mouth shut.

[EUsername]

Make sure you tell your relatives to watch out for people trying to impersonate you. Because of AI technology nowadays all they need is a recording of your voice to fake it and set up an "accident happened I'm borrowing a phone can you send me money?" type of scam.

[Jannisary]

Generally the FBI doesn't cold call people about shit, let alone silly internet activity. If a real agent wants talk to you they either show up where they know you'll be or call and ask to meet with you and they won't really get into what its about too much.

[trumptrain]

Just an update with some additional info...
I opened an old voip account for the first time in months, (used it for text and never for voice), and i saw several more missed calls from the FBI number. No messages were left. Thinking about it all, I believe that there has been a data breach on one of the sites that I use and that info has been sold to scammers who have spoofed the NY FBI front desk number. Maybe it's true, maybe not, but I think it is high time to do a house cleaning and reset some personal info and dump some phone and email accounts and start fresh. Who knows, maybe this site has had a data breach. Be safe out there. Keep your data secure.

[Alyssa XOXO]

Originally Posted by Clit Eastwood

Was the initials of that agent DT by any chance?

Deep Throat....?????

Sorry this happened to you OP. BUT, this was definitely someone f*ucking with you

Stay Safe, Don't Forget To Treat Your SO/Mom Special Today and Happy Hobbying!

[JRLawrence]

Originally Posted by trumptrain

Then they called back…. I didn’t answer.

I see everyone's phone number on my phone for incoming calls. You just gave them your number when you called them.






Don't worry about it.

[Fizley]

The May15 Bottomline Personal has an article about the FBI calling. I have a photo of it and if I could only figure out how to posta photo of the article...

[goingfishing]

I ran into almost the exact scenario, however, "Special agent Ravera" from the FBI (exact upper/lower case use) from the Hoboken office texted me and asked me to call him back. He knew which escort I called (which I did). I was immediately suspicious because I knew any real FBI agent would know which letters should be capitalized, and that he was TEXTing me to call him. Anyway, I was nervous as heck calling him back. In the background was the classic sounds of a law enforcement office you'd hear on TV, and stated that the escort I had contacted was being sought by Interpol for international human trafficking...and now I'm known to associate with this person...he's gabbing on like a high-strung NY big-mouth about what Interpol is, etc...in the meantime I'm thinking that if that want her so bad, why not call her, setup a sting and get THE ONE YOU'RE ACTUALLY AFTER!!! He's telling me how much trouble I'm in- I reply that I hadn't done anything illegal (I only texted and left a message about "getting together for an hour"). He continues the conversation that "we can handle this is one of two ways"...I know what's coming and I interrupt him and ask him "you know what I think?" I think this is a scam!! He responds "well, if you want to handle it that way, fine!" and hangs up.

I never heard from him again, I began to think back that my other visits to the NY area, I tried calling the same escort 2-3 times and never once heard back from her. I now figure her profile is a scam (pretty low-priced for her PICs), her reviews are a scam and probably posted by this scammer...Needless to say that I almost needed a new part of undies...Total scam though, and so is yours.

-GF-

[DNinja69]

Originally Posted by LadyMoxie

That's crazy! Good thing is you didn't do nothing stupiid. Definitely a scam!

I have either heard about or gotten calls from the IRS, US Marshall Service, Attorney General's office, and now we hear about the FBI. Missed calls show up with legit numbers but those can be spoofed easily. Answered calls / voicemails are usually people with accents who do not refer to anyone by name. Scams yes but it reminds us of some things we can do to insulate ourselves from unwanted attention.

A laptop or tablet off Craigslist or from a pawn shop is a good way to be mobile while enjoying our hobby. VPN membership purchased with a prepaid credit card can help with online security. The McDonald's parking lot can be a great place to find free web access. Using VOIP is an option to having an second phone and sometimes its nice to just click and get a new number. And as always when you are engaging with someone that seems to invite unwanted attention or practices activities that concern you it is often better to cut bait and move on...