Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission has issued a strict warning against extortionists impersonating its agents to exploit the country's ongoing anti-corruption crackdown.

The Federal Integrity Commission affirmed that all anti-corruption operations, fund recoveries, and provincial raids are conducted strictly within legal frameworks and based on judicial warrants. 

The body advised public institutions, investors, and citizens to verify the identities of field agents to prevent extortion by unauthorized individuals.

Commission Orders Public to Reject Unofficial Anti-Graft Inquiries 

The Commission called on "official institutions, investors, and the general public to verify the identity of individuals who contact them impersonating Commission staff for the purpose of extortion and blackmail."

Impersonators are reportedly capitalizing on the judicial-executive crackdown to blackmail and intimidate targets for personal gain.

The Commission urged the public to reject unofficial inquiries and immediately report suspected extortionists to its hotline (154).

Previous Stings Target Fake Regulatory Extortion Rings 

The Integrity Commission previously issued these warnings alongside high-profile crackdowns, such as the late-June arrests of dozens of corrupt officials amid the government's ongoing anti-corruption campaign. 

These alerts followed cases where multiple fraud rings were dismantled and prosecuted for impersonating regulators to extort local business owners and state directors.

Meanwhile, recent high-profile stings include a targeted arrest in Karbala and the prosecution of a gang leader who extorted $50,000 from local health and education directorates.