The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned Americans about financial fraud schemes that could exploit the 2026 US midterm elections, including fake political fundraising campaigns, fraudulent merchandise sales and voter registration scams.
According to a public service announcement issued by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) on October 15, 2026, scammers could exploit the US midterm elections to carry out financial fraud. The advisory, titled “Scammers Exploit 2026 U.S. Midterm Election to Perpetrate Multiple Fraud Schemes,” updates an earlier warning published on October 29, 2024.
The FBI said scammers misuse candidates’ names, photographs, logos and slogans to solicit donations, sell merchandise they never deliver or collect personally identifiable information. Criminals are also using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing voices, images and messages impersonating candidates, campaign staff, government agencies and trusted contacts.
One scheme involves promises of guaranteed returns on campaign contributions, with fraudsters falsely claiming that money placed in a candidate’s campaign pool will generate profits if the candidate wins. Victims may also be encouraged to recruit others.
In another tactic, fraudulent political action committees (PACs) pose as legitimate fundraising organisations but divert donations for personal gain. Fake online stores similarly collect payments for political merchandise without delivering the products.
The FBI also warned about voter registration scams in which unsolicited texts or emails direct recipients to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information.
The agency advised people to verify political committees through the Federal Election Commission, check their voter registration at Vote.gov and avoid suspicious links or unsolicited requests for sensitive information. Consumers should research online sellers before making purchases.
Election-related scams can be reported to a local FBI field office or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
NewsMobile has also reported on impersonation scams targeting people in the United States. In an earlier report, the publication covered a case in which a woman received a call from individuals posing as Indian consulate officials who allegedly knew her personal details and used the threat of a police complaint to pressure her.
We have also covered warnings about fraudsters impersonating US federal agents using spoofed phone numbers and official-looking video backgrounds. These cases highlight how scammers exploit trust in government institutions to deceive victims.
Credits: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
