# FCC Issues Warning About Robocall Scam Impersonating “Fraud Prevention Team”
## Introduction
Robocall scams have increasingly plagued consumers, with con artists employing advanced strategies to trick individuals into relinquishing cash or personal details. Recently, scammers erred in targeting staff members of the **Federal Communications Commission (FCC)** itself. The FCC has now released a cautionary statement, asserting that there is no such entity as an FCC “Fraud Prevention Team” and advising the public to disregard such calls.
## The Robocall Scam Aimed at FCC Staff
During the night of **February 6, 2024**, extending into the morning of **February 7, 2024**, numerous FCC employees and their relatives received deceptive robocalls. The calls featured an automated voice and adhered to a prewritten script:
*”Hello [first name of recipient], this is an automated message from the Federal Communications Commission. The Fraud Prevention Team would like to speak with you. If you are available for a conversation now, please press one. If you wish to arrange a callback, please press two.”*
The FCC swiftly clarified that no such **”Fraud Prevention Team”** exists and that the calls were a tactic to **intimidate, threaten, and defraud** their targets.
One victim recounted that after pressing a button, they were connected to a scammer who **demanded $1,000 in Google gift cards** to avert imprisonment for alleged “offenses against the state.”
## Operation of the Scam
The robocallers responsible for this scheme were traced back to **Telnyx**, a voice service provider accused of enabling the scam. According to the FCC, Telnyx did not adequately verify the identities of the scammers before allowing them access to its services.
### The “MarioCop” Accounts
The fraudsters adopted fictitious identities under the names **Christian Mitchell** and **Henry Walker**, establishing accounts with Telnyx using email addresses linked to the domain **mariocop123.com**. They also presented fake addresses in **Toronto, Canada**, and paid for Telnyx services using **Bitcoin** to evade detection.
Records obtained by the FCC indicated that:
– One account made **1,029 calls** between February 6 and February 7.
– Another account made **768 calls** on February 6.
– The domain **mariocop123.com** was registered in February 2024 and lacked any legitimate business presence.
The scammers utilized **VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services** to conceal their actual locations, with IP addresses traced back to **Scotland and England**.
## FCC’s Reaction and Suggested Penalty
The FCC has suggested a **$4.49 million fine** against Telnyx for failing to comply with **Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations**, which mandate telecom providers to confirm the identities of their clients prior to providing access to calling services.
The FCC’s **Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL)** asserts that Telnyx **did not take adequate measures to authenticate the legitimacy of the customers** who executed the scam. The agency stressed that **telecom providers must understand their clients** to thwart fraudulent behavior.
### Telnyx’s Response
Telnyx CEO **David Casem** has rejected the FCC’s claims, contending that the company acted promptly to terminate the fraudulent accounts soon after discovering the scam. Casem stated:
*”The FCC has traditionally expected providers to take reasonable measures to identify and obstruct bad actors. However, the FCC now seeks to impose significant monetary fines on Telnyx for limited unlawful calling activity that Telnyx neither initiated nor allowed to continue.”*
Telnyx intends to challenge the fine.
## Recommendations for Consumers
The FCC has cautioned the public to remain vigilant and **disregard robocalls purporting to be from the FCC or any governmental body**. Here are some essential actions to safeguard yourself:
1. **Do Not Engage** – If you receive a dubious call, refrain from pressing any buttons or sharing personal information.
2. **Verify Directly** – If a government agency allegedly contacts you, disconnect and reach out to them directly using an official number from their website.
3. **Report the Call** – Lodge a complaint with the **FCC** or **Federal Trade Commission (FTC)** to assist authorities in tracking down scammers.
4. **Utilize Call Blocking Tools** – Many phone providers offer **call-blocking options** to filter out robocalls.
5. **Be Wary of Payment Requests** – Government agencies will **never** request payment through **gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers**.
## Conclusion
The FCC’s latest warning underscores the **increasing menace of robocall scams** and the necessity for stricter enforcement of telecom regulations. While the agency is pursuing action against Telnyx,
