the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Upper Saddle River, NJ — The FBI has issued an updated Public Service Advisory (PSA) warning residents, including those in Upper Saddle River and Bergen County, about fictitious law firms targeting cryptocurrency scam victims. The schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, preying on individuals — especially the elderly — who have already lost money in prior scams.
The scam works by impersonating real law firms or attorneys, often using fake letterheads, fraudulent documents, or even referencing nonexistent government agencies. Victims are lured in with promises of recovering lost funds, but instead, their personal information and money are stolen again.
🚨 Red Flags of Fake Law Firm Scams
The FBI highlighted several warning signs of fraudulent “crypto recovery” firms:
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Impersonating licensed attorneys or firms using forged documents.
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Claiming to be “partners” with U.S. or foreign government agencies (no law firm holds this status).
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Citing fake agencies such as the International Financial Trading Commission (INTFTC).
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Requesting payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards.
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Having knowledge of past wire transfers or scam details.
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Claiming victims are on a “government list of scam victims” and offering to recover funds.
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Directing victims to register accounts at fake foreign banks.
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Using WhatsApp group chats with supposed lawyers or bank officials.
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Refusing to provide credentials, appear on video, or share law licenses.
✅ How to Protect Yourself
The FBI urges the public to take these due diligence measures:
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Use a Zero Trust approach — never trust unexpected calls, emails, or messages.
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Verify all attorney credentials and request video confirmation.
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Contact local law enforcement or government offices directly to confirm employment claims.
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Keep records of all communications, including screenshots and recordings.
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Demand notarized proof of identity before sending money.
📌 Report Suspected Scams
If you suspect you’ve been contacted by a fake crypto recovery law firm, report it immediately:
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Local FBI field office
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FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov
The FBI stresses that no U.S. government agency will ever request payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards. Residents of Upper Saddle River and beyond are encouraged to remain vigilant as scammers continue to refine their tactics.
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