• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Former FBI agent reveals quick thinking trick he pulled off to stop his own murder

Home> News> US News

Published 20:10 20 May 2025 GMT+1

Former FBI agent reveals quick thinking trick he pulled off to stop his own murder

Scott Payne had to think on his feet to escape an undercover mission with his life

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

As you can imagine, being an undercover FBI agent isn’t exactly for the faint-hearted, as it can be a dangerous and life-threatening job.

While most people at work can make a few mistakes and, at worst, risk getting chewed out by their boss, those who work undercover with dangerous criminals don’t exactly have that luxury.

In fact, one wrong move while operating undercover could jeopardize a major operation into US criminal hate groups and terrorist organizations, as well as cost you your life. No pressure then...

Advert

But former FBI agent Scott Payne made it through more than 23 years in the business, leaving him with some chilling war stories - and boy, did he have some stories.

Speaking to UNILAD, Payne remained humble and insisted that any job in law enforcement comes with its stresses and dangers.

Scott Payne has worked with the FBI for over 23 years and had some chilling stories about his work (Scott Payne)
Scott Payne has worked with the FBI for over 23 years and had some chilling stories about his work (Scott Payne)

Due to the nature of his operations, he, of course, couldn't divulge how the FBI's undercover teams do some of the things they do to catch criminals. Still, he could recall one particular daunting situation he found himself in.

Advert

Also detailed in his recent book, Code Name: Pale Horse, which follows Payne's risky decision to infiltrate one of the US's 'most dangerous' Neo-Nazi group, Payne recalled an undercover mission that saw him staring at the business end of a shotgun, with his life on the line.

READ MORE:

FORMER FBI AGENT BREAKS DOWN BIGGEST 'BODY LANGUAGE MYTHS'

Payne further revealed that the person holding the gun demanded that he take a hit of cocaine to prove he wasn't law enforcement, and to make matters worse, he also threatened Payne with the most chilling sentence.

Advert

Setting the scene of his undercover drug operation, Payne said: "I'm sitting here. It gets to the point where he's sitting on a table in front of me.

Scott's quick thinking likely saved his life (UNILAD)
Scott's quick thinking likely saved his life (UNILAD)

“I’m on his couch, he’s on a coffee table and he’s got a double barrel shotgun, hammer's cocked back and he’s already told me, ‘If I find out you’re the law, you’re a dead man', he repeated it multiple times.

“He’s like, 'try it, try it', and I already told him, 'man I don’t do this'.

Advert

“He’s got an open bag of cocaine in my face, close to my face and he’s got a red bone hound and it’s in my crotch and growling.”

With pressure at its highest, Payne continued to talk, hoping to diffuse the situation while also keeping up his cover - a difficult task while you're wondering if you're ever going to leave the room alive again.

Payne explained that a quick bit of sleight of hand allowed him to convince the guy with the gun that he had taken a hit of the cocaine.

Scott was able to defuse the situation with some cunning 'sleight of hand' (Scott Payne)
Scott was able to defuse the situation with some cunning 'sleight of hand' (Scott Payne)

Advert

He said: "I told him I got a heart condition, I got anxiety, I'm not doing any damn cocaine. What I did do, is just something I came up with in my head.

"I dip my finger in [the cocaine] and I came up you know and I just did a sleight of hand thing. I mean, I had a big beard.

"I got [acted] p***ed and was like 'are you happy now?', and then he immediately calms down and he's like 'hey let me take you back to the back and let me show you where all the drugs are at'."

And just like that, through quick thinking, Payne was able to make it out of the situation alive and continue his operation undetected.

More than a lucky break if you ask me!

Featured Image Credit: UNILAD

Topics: News, US News, Crime

Gerrard Kaonga
Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Ingredient found in Ziploc freezer bags could have harmful effects on body, shocking new lawsuit claims

    A Ziploc spokesperson has stated its products are 'safe when used as directed and that the lawsuit is without merit'

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Woman, 27, found alive after 3 weeks missing in mountains details how she survived

    Officials said it was a 'miracle' Tiffany Slaton survived her ordeal

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Diddy’s former personal assistant details how he would allegedly prepare hotel rooms and what they were stocked with

    David James was an assistant to the rapper between 2007 and 2009

    Celebrity
  • 6 hours ago

    Woman who went missing while on vacation seemingly addresses father's death during search for her six months later

    Hannah Kobayashi's father was searching for her when he took his own life

    News
  • Former CIA officer reveals one key thing agents think 'every single day'
  • Disturbing name Cassie was allegedly made to call Diddy as she reveals shocking details of 'freak off' parties
  • Diddy trial latest as Cassie reveals alleged 'freak off' acts and abuse at his hands as trafficking case enters third day
  • Parents praised for quick-thinking decision that helped save son’s life after being discharged from hospital