FBI Warns Tron Users About Fake Tokens Impersonating the Agency
Angelina Reinhard
- 2 min read
Key Takeaways
- FBI New York warned Tron users about fake “FBI” tokens circulating on the network.
- The scam uses TRC-20 token transfers to push wallet holders to phishing sites for personal data.
- The FBI urged users to avoid any linked sites and report incidents through IC3.
The FBI warned Tron users not to trust tokens claiming to be tied to the agency after fraudulent tokens labeled “FBI” appeared on the network. In an X post, FBI New York told users not to provide personal information to any website linked to those tokens and directed victims to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
FBI Issues Public Warning on Fake “FBI” Tokens
The FBI New York said users on the Tron network should “exercise caution if they encounter a token purported to be from the FBI.” The warning referred to a token scheme in which users receive an asset that appears to come from the agency and are then directed to a related website. The FBI said:
“If you receive a token from an account with the details below, do not provide any identifying information to any website associated with such token.”
The agency did not say how many users had received the tokens or whether any losses had been confirmed.
Scam Uses TRC-20 Transfers to Direct Users to a Data-Harvesting Site
The warning included an image showing tokens delivered through Tron’s TRC-20 format with statements claiming a wallet was under investigation for anti-money laundering violations. The message threatened account freezes and directed users to visit a website and submit identifying information.
The scam used a token transfer to deliver the message inside a wallet rather than through email or text. The warning did not identify the operators behind the scheme or say whether the tokens were still circulating at the time of the post.
FBI Urges Users to Report the Scam Via IC3
The FBI directed users who encountered the tokens to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, its main intake channel for online fraud reports. The bureau has repeatedly used IC3 to collect complaints tied to crypto investment fraud, government impersonation schemes, and other cyber-enabled crimes.
The FBI’s most recent annual internet crime report said victims of investment fraud involving cryptocurrency reported more than $6.5 billion in losses in 2024. An earlier FBI crypto fraud report said losses tied to cryptocurrency fraud in 2023 topped $5.6 billion.
In its 2023 cryptocurrency fraud report, the FBI also listed government impersonation scams among the categories tied to crypto-related losses.
Warning Highlights Rising Government-Impersonation Scams in Crypto
The Tron alert reflects a type of scam already familiar in crypto. Attackers use the name of a government agency, exchange, or well-known company to create urgency and then try to move victims toward a site where personal details, wallet credentials, or funds can be taken.
Here, the token itself carried the impersonation attempt. The warning showed scammers using a blockchain transfer as the delivery method for the message appearing in the wallet.
FBI Says Fake Token is Not Official and Warns Against Linked Websites
The bureau’s warning was narrow and direct. It told users not to provide identifying information to websites associated with the token and to report suspicious activity through IC3. The post did not announce an enforcement action or seizure. It was a public warning aimed at stopping users from treating the token as an official FBI communication.
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Angelina Reinhard
Crypto Journalist & Market Analyst
Angelina is a crypto journalist and market analyst covering blockchain innovation, digital asset markets, and emerging industry developments. She focuses on clear, structured reporting that breaks down complex topics into accessible insights for a global audience.
Her work explores market movements, technological trends, and the evolving landscape of the cryptocurrency industry through timely, reader-focused news coverage.