(WHTM) — The FBI is warning Pennsylvania international college students of a recent rise in government impersonation scams.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is advising international student communities in Pennsylvania of a scam in which foreign governments impersonate Chinese police officers to defraud the U.S.-based Chinese community, in particular Chinese students attending Pennsylvania colleges.

The office says in the scam, criminal actors tell victims they are under investigation for an alleged financial crime in China and need to pay to avoid arrest.

According to the FBI Office, the criminal actors inform victims that their personally identifiable information is linked to either a subject or a victim of a financial fraud investigation, then transfer the call to a criminal actor posing as a Chinese police officer who gives details on the alleged crime. The office says the actors typically pressure victims to consent to 24/7 video and audio surveillance due to the ‘sensitivity of the investigation’ and wire a large sum of money to a Chinese bank account or return to China to face trial.

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“We are actively engaging with the public, academic institutions, and our law enforcement partners to identify and support those impacted by this scheme,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “These scams inflict more than just financial harm—many victims endure lasting emotional and psychological distress. If you or someone you know has been affected, we urge you to contact our office. Every day, we remain committed to holding these criminals accountable, delivering justice for the victims, and connecting those harmed with the resources they need to recover.”

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office says victims or attempted victims of this type of scheme should report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or your local FBI field office. In addition, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office recommends taking the following actions:

• Report the activity to the payment service provider used for the financial transaction.

• Contact your financial institution immediately to stop or reverse the transaction. Ask the financial institution to contact the corresponding financial institution where the funds were sent.

• Report activity to your campus security or public safety office to elevate awareness within the student population.

• Submit an online report to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office can be reached at 215-418-4000.

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