The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation put Oklahomans on alert Saturday after reports that a man has been posing as an OSBI special agent and contacting residents across the state. Investigators say the caller or texter claims to work with the bureau’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and, in some messages, threatens to issue an arrest warrant if the recipient does not call back. Officials stress that legitimate investigators do not demand immediate payments or personal details through texts or other unsolicited messages.
According to News 9, the scam messages arrive as texts and similar communications that label the sender as a “special agent” and pressure people to return the call. The station reports that the texts are dressed up to look official and notes that OSBI has issued guidance on how to report any suspicious contact.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation urges anyone who receives such a message not to reply or share personal information. Instead, officials ask that people forward tips, screenshots and copies of the messages to [email protected] or call the confidential tipline at 1-800-522-8017. The bureau, which hosts the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, also provides resources on reporting child-exploitation concerns.
How the scam plays out
Scammers often lean on official-sounding titles, bogus badge numbers and “spoofed” phone lines to seem legitimate, then turn up the pressure with threats or tight deadlines to force a quick reaction. Federal authorities say these government-impersonation schemes are getting more polished and frequently angle for money or sensitive data. The U.S. Attorney's Office has warned the public not to comply with demands made over text or phone.
If one of these messages lands on your phone, the advice is simple: do not respond. Save the text, take screenshots and file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. If the outreach involves a minor or mentions child-exploitation claims, use the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline and contact local law enforcement to verify any claim before you talk or share information.
Legal consequences
In Oklahoma, impersonating a peace officer or falsely claiming official authority can be prosecuted under state law, and courts have addressed such conduct under statutes including 21 O.S. §§ 263–264. Public case law listings summarize how those false-personation provisions work and the criminal penalties offenders may face.
Anyone who believes they were targeted should preserve texts, call logs and any related evidence, then contact OSBI at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-522-8017, or submit a report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Investigators say the best first move is to stay skeptical, refuse to engage with the scammer and let state or federal authorities handle the rest.
