A suburban Chicago man says a fake U.S. Marshal armed with an AI-generated badge image scared him into handing over $69,000, one transfer at a time. The caller allegedly used a high-tech twist on an old-school imposter scam, and by the time the family realized something was off, the money was gone.
The victim asked to stay anonymous and did not appear on camera. His son later walked investigators through the calls that unfolded, describing a rapid series of demands that turned into multiple transfers. The case has become a pricey reminder of how quickly generative AI can be turned into a weapon in imposter fraud.
How the Call Unfolded
According to CBS News Chicago, the scammer sent an image that appeared to show a U.S. Marshals badge, then mixed it with urgent language and threats of arrest to pile on the pressure. Under that fear and time crunch, the man ultimately transferred a total of $69,000 before realizing the caller was not a federal officer.
The son told CBS the family is now working with banks and law enforcement in an effort to trace the funds. Whether any of that money can be clawed back is still an open question.
What the U.S. Marshals and Officials Say
The U.S. Marshals Service has repeatedly warned that impostor scams often spoof official phone numbers and use badge numbers or fake case information to sound legitimate. In a public alert, the agency stresses that it will not ask for gift cards, bank routing details or bitcoin deposits, no matter how urgent a situation may seem.
The agency urges anyone who gets a surprise call about warrants, fines or court issues to independently verify the story with a clerk of court or local FBI office before sending a dime. In its scam guidance, U.S. Marshals Service materials direct victims to the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission for help with reporting and potential recovery steps.
Scale of the Threat
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a record $16.6 billion in losses to internet crime in 2024, with government impersonation and investment schemes among the costliest categories. According to the latest IC3 report, individual victims can lose six figures when they are persuaded to move cash or cryptocurrency at a scammer’s direction.
Security analysts and prosecutors cited in that report say off-the-shelf AI tools such as image generators and voice-cloning services are making fake identities sound and look more convincing, which in turn makes them harder for panicked targets to spot in the moment.
Agencies Sound the Alarm About AI
The Federal Trade Commission says consumers reported $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 and has warned that AI-generated photos, videos and voice clips are becoming part of the con artist toolkit. In its latest guidance, FTC materials urge people to verify unexpected calls through separate contact information and to report suspicious incidents quickly.
State attorneys general and consumer-protection offices have echoed those warnings and urged banks to watch for unusual withdrawals or transfers that may be tied to impersonation scams.
What To Do If You Get One of These Calls
If someone claims to be from a court, the U.S. Marshals or another agency and demands money, the advice from authorities is blunt: hang up. Do not send money, do not read off access codes and do not rely on any phone number, email address or link given by the caller.
Instead, contact the agency or a clerk’s office using a verified number, such as one listed on an official government website, and ask if the situation is real. If you already moved funds, contact your bank immediately and file reports with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov so investigators have an official record.
Officials also suggest telling family members and local police as soon as possible. The faster a potential scam is flagged, the more options there may be to limit the damage.
