TL;DR: The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the official place in the US to report internet-facilitated crimes, including scams, business email compromise, and online fraud.
How to Report a Scam to the FBI's IC3 — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Go to IC3.gov
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the official place in the US to report internet-facilitated crimes, including scams, business email compromise, and online fraud.
Step 2: Fill out the complaint form with as much detail as possible
Include dates, amounts, any communication with the scammer (emails, messages, phone numbers), payment methods used, and account or wallet details if money was sent — more detail improves the chance of it being useful for investigation.
Step 3: Submit promptly, especially for wire transfers
If money was sent via wire transfer, report as quickly as possible — IC3's Recovery Asset Team has had success intercepting funds when reports come in within the first day or two.
Step 4: Save your complaint confirmation
Keep the confirmation number IC3 provides, which you may need to reference in follow-up communication with your bank or other agencies.
Step 5: Understand what happens next
IC3 compiles reports for law enforcement analysis and potential investigation, but it does not investigate every individual complaint or guarantee direct follow-up, so also report to your bank and, if relevant, local police.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Report a Scam to Scamwatch Australia.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Report Identity Theft in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Go to IC3.gov
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the official place in the US to report internet-facilitated crimes, including scams, business email compromise, and online fraud.
Step 2: Fill out the complaint form with as much detail as possible
Include dates, amounts, any communication with the scammer (emails, messages, phone numbers), payment methods used, and account or wallet details if money was sent — more detail improves the chance of it being useful for investigation.
Step 3: Submit promptly, especially for wire transfers
If money was sent via wire transfer, report as quickly as possible — IC3's Recovery Asset Team has had success intercepting funds when reports come in within the first day or two.
Step 4: Save your complaint confirmation
Keep the confirmation number IC3 provides, which you may need to reference in follow-up communication with your bank or other agencies.
Step 5: Understand what happens next
IC3 compiles reports for law enforcement analysis and potential investigation, but it does not investigate every individual complaint or guarantee direct follow-up, so also report to your bank and, if relevant, local police.