OSBI Warns Oklahomans About Fake Special Agent Scam

OSBI Warns Oklahomans About Fake Special Agent Scam

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is warning residents about a scam in which criminals pose as OSBI special agents and threaten victims with immediate arrest if they fail to respond.

Officials say the scammers falsely claim to be assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and use fake law enforcement credentials to pressure victims into returning calls or providing personal information. The agency is reminding Oklahomans that legitimate law enforcement officers do not use text messages or unsolicited phone calls to threaten arrests or demand money.

OSBI Warns Oklahomans About Fake Special Agent Scam

According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the scam begins with a text message or phone call from someone claiming to be an OSBI special agent.

Victims are told they must immediately return the call or an arrest warrant will be issued against them. To make the scam appear authentic, the sender may also text a photograph of counterfeit OSBI law enforcement credentials.

The agency emphasizes that real OSBI agents will never contact members of the public by phone or text message to threaten arrest, demand payment or request personal or financial information.

Anyone receiving one of these messages should consider it fraudulent and avoid any further communication with the sender.

Residents Should Ignore The Messages And Report Them

The OSBI advises Oklahomans who receive these messages not to reply, not to click on any links, and not to provide personal, financial or identifying information.

Instead, residents should block the phone number, delete the message and report the incident to their local law enforcement agency or directly to the OSBI.

Officials say scammers often rely on fear and urgency to convince victims they must act immediately. Those tactics are designed to prevent people from taking time to verify the claims or contact law enforcement independently.

The agency reminds residents that legitimate criminal investigations are handled through established legal procedures—not threatening text messages or unexpected phone calls demanding immediate action.

Reporting Scams Helps Protect Other Oklahomans

The OSBI encourages anyone targeted by the scam to submit information through the agency's OSBI Tip Line.

Reports can be made by emailing tips@osbi.ok.gov or by calling 1-800-522-8017.

Officials say every report helps investigators identify new fraud trends, track recurring phone numbers and alert the public before additional victims are targeted. Even if no money or personal information was shared, reporting an attempted scam provides valuable information that can assist ongoing investigations.

The OSBI continues to encourage Oklahomans to remain cautious whenever they receive unexpected communications claiming to come from law enforcement. Verifying suspicious messages through official government contact information is one of the most effective ways to avoid becoming the victim of an impersonation scam.

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