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Criminals across the country are slipping on fake federal badges and tactical vests to invade homes, restrain families, and steal valuables. Recent cases from California to Georgia reveal a fast-growing trend of violent impersonators exploiting public trust in federal authority. Investigators warn that the disguises are becoming more convincing, leaving residents vulnerable and frightened in their own homes.

The Story

A string of recent crimes from California to Georgia shows a troubling tactic on the rise: armed crews masquerading as federal agents to force their way into homes, restrain families with zip ties, and steal cash and electronics. Investigators say the costumes and jargon—“search warrants,” “fugitive task force,” “FBI”—are being used to lower victims’ guard for just a few seconds. That’s all it takes.

In one of the most widely viewed incidents, a doorbell video captured three masked men wearing tactical vests and “FBI” markings at a home in Jurupa Valley, east of Los Angeles, around 9:48 p.m. on Oct. 23. When the resident cracked the door and asked about a warrant, the men rushed inside. Riverside County deputies later said the suspects tied up the occupants and ransacked the house before fleeing with property; no injuries were reported, and no arrests had been announced as of late October.

The Jurupa Valley break-in echoes a December 2023 home invasion near Atlanta that police made public earlier this year. Gwinnett County investigators released surveillance video of three men in tactical gear who grabbed a resident at his door, forced their way inside an apartment, and zip-tied both him and his son while demanding drugs and money. Officers later arrested one suspect and recovered tactical vests, ammunition, and police badges; two other suspects remained at large at the time of the report.

Not all the impersonations happen at front doors—and not all involve the FBI. In June, Houston police said a man wearing “U.S. Marshal” clothing tackled a liquor store owner outside his business, ordered him to the ground, and, once the victim was subdued at gunpoint, announced it was a robbery. The suspect, who was wounded by return fire and later arrested at a hospital, was charged with aggravated robbery, impersonating a public servant, and unlawful gun possession. Authorities said he might be linked to other cases.

In Jonesboro, Arkansas, a Memphis-area couple is accused of taking the ruse further—showing what appeared to be federal credentials to police after a reported robbery. According to an August affidavit, the woman identified herself to officers as with “Homeland Security” and displayed a photo of a certificate on her phone; the man arrived in a black SUV, showed an ID card claiming he was a DHS special agent, and said he was there to “assist” the woman. Investigators say the card appeared to be a genuine federal PIV credential but was found to be fraudulent. A search turned up a loaded Glock, tactical gear, handcuffs, and body-worn cameras. Both were charged with felony criminal impersonation; the man also faces a forgery count.

The tactic has also surfaced in commercial targets. Federal prosecutors say five Bay Area men donned fake FBI jackets and body armor during an April warehouse heist near Portland, Oregon, zip-tying employees while stealing roughly 200 iPhones before attempting a second robbery weeks later. Arrests followed over the summer; one suspect remained at large as of August.

Law enforcement officials warn that impersonation can blur lines for the public, especially when criminals use convincing props—badges, “raid” vests, even flashing lights. The FBI and U.S. Marshals have issued repeated advisories about scammers and impostors claiming to be federal officers, urging people to verify identities and to be wary of coerced compliance. The FBI stresses that legitimate officers don’t call or email to demand money and that spoofed caller ID is common; the Marshals likewise flag “neighbor spoofing” and other tricks that piggyback on real agency phone numbers.

While many impersonation alerts focus on phone and email fraud, investigators say the same psychology—authoritative clothing, urgent commands—also fuels violent crimes. In California, Riverside County deputies said the Jurupa Valley suspects claimed to have a search warrant before subduing residents; in Georgia, the crew asserted they’d been surveilling the victim “for months.” Those claims, police say, were fabrications designed to intimidate.

Experts and police offer several practical steps for residents if confronted by unexpected “agents” at the door. Ask to see credentials through a window or peephole. Call 911 yourself and request local officers to confirm any operation at your address. Do not allow entry based solely on clothing, printed “warrants,” or shouted commands; actual federal operations are commonly coordinated with local law enforcement and can be verified in real time. The FBI’s public guidance underscores that you should never transfer money, provide personal data, or grant physical access in response to threats—even when a caller or visitor uses real names or badge numbers.

For now, communities rattled by these incidents are waiting for arrests and answers. In Jurupa Valley, detectives continue to comb through widely shared home-security video as they seek the trio who tied up a family inside their own living room. In Georgia and Arkansas, court cases are moving ahead against suspects accused of hiding behind the symbols and language of federal power. The through-line, police say, is simple: if someone at your door says “federal agent,” your first step should be to confirm—before you comply.

If you believe you’ve encountered a law-enforcement impersonator, contact local police and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Countermeasures for Concerned Citizens

Here are practical, realistic countermeasures that everyday citizens can take to protect themselves from criminals posing as federal officials:

If confronted outside or caught off guard:

A real officer will not interpret this as resistance.

Criminals can buy:

But they cannot fake:

Reporting suspicious encounters helps law enforcement identify:

Even if nothing happened, your report may connect dots that investigators are already watching.