Amazon + FBI Imposter Scam Costs Nebraska Couple $250,000

Amazon + FBI Imposter Scam Costs Nebraska Couple $250,000

By Greg Collier

Location: Hickman, Nebraska
Victims: Couple, ages 82 and 84
Reported by: Local authorities
Loss: $250,000
Timeline: August–October 2025

A devastating scam out of Lancaster County shows, once again, how professional, patient, and psychologically manipulative modern fraud operations have become—especially when they target older adults.

According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, an elderly Hickman couple lost their life savings after scammers impersonated Amazon representatives and later escalated the scheme by posing as agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

There is no chance of recovering the money.

What’s Going On

The scam began in August with what looked like a legitimate Amazon email.

The message claimed:

  • A package had been delivered to the wrong address
  • The couple’s Amazon account was compromised
  • A duplicate account had been opened in their name
  • That account allegedly owed $200,000

The scammers reassured the couple that they would not charge interest if payments began immediately—creating urgency while pretending to be “helpful.”

Once the victims were engaged, the scammers escalated the pressure.

They introduced a second layer: fake FBI agents.

The Fake “FBI” Hook

The imposters claimed:

  • There was a ‘mole’ at the couple’s local bank
  • Bank employees could not be trusted
  • The couple must not contact the bank or law enforcement
  • All instructions must be followed exactly to avoid “legal consequences”

This is a classic authority + isolation tactic: convince victims that everyone except the scammer is dangerous.

How the Money Was Taken

Over the course of several weeks, the couple was directed to send money using methods that are:

  • Difficult to trace
  • Nearly impossible to reverse

They paid using:

  • Bitcoin ATMs
  • Western Union transfers
  • Apple gift cards

Worse, the scammers also convinced the couple to:

  • Grant remote access to their computers
  • Expose banking and financial account information

By the time the scheme ended:

  • The couple had sent approximately $213,000
  • The scammers drained the remaining funds directly from their accounts
  • The last transaction occurred October 29
  • Law enforcement was not notified until December 17

Why This Scam Worked

This was not a single mistake—it was a layered psychological attack.

Key manipulation tactics included:

  • Impersonation of trusted institutions
  • Fear of massive financial liability
  • Urgency (“act now or it gets worse”)
  • Isolation from real help
  • Step-by-step grooming over months

These scams are designed to bypass logic by overwhelming victims emotionally.

Red Flags

According to Lancaster County officials, these warning signs should immediately end any conversation:

  • Being told to use a Bitcoin ATM
  • Requests for gift cards or wire transfers
  • Claims that law enforcement needs payment
  • Instructions not to talk to your bank
  • Remote access requests to your computer
  • Threats combined with promises of “fixing” the problem

Chief Deputy Houchin emphasized a key rule:

Legitimate businesses and law enforcement will never ask you to pay with cryptocurrency.

Never.

What to Do Instead

If you receive a message like this:

  1. Stop responding immediately
  2. Do not click links or call provided numbers
  3. Contact the company directly using a verified website or phone number
  4. Call your bank using the number on your card
  5. Report the incident to local law enforcement right away

Time matters, but silence only helps scammers.

Final Thoughts

This case is a painful reminder that scams are no longer clumsy or obvious. They are professional operations that combine branding, fake authority, and emotional manipulation to extract everything victims have.

If someone tells you:

  • The FBI wants payment
  • Amazon needs Bitcoin
  • Your bank can’t be trusted

You are not in trouble.

You are being scammed.

Talk to someone you trust, and stop engaging immediately.

Further Reading

Discover more from Greg's Corner

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.