Got the same call....been a while since I've had these dumba$$ scammers call me.
"this is Manuel Castillo from the D-E-A, the drug enforcement administration, department of justice" the lame head could hardly pronounce administration and REAL DEA would not call...
They would show up at your door with a warrant.
This is just a scam to try and get you to "pay a fine" over the phone, to "avoid prosecution". Basically that amounts to taking a BRIBE! And then there's the next issue...
They are willfully impersonating federal officers. That's a Felony....big time.
My favorite thing to do? Call them back, tell them that no one by whatever name they were asking for is at this number, but they have in fact reached Special Agent so-and-so with the ACTUAL DEA....
Guess what happens next? *CLICK*
o.O You scared, Manuel?
After that I suggest you go right to the DEA's actual website and snag the link and file a complaint, including the number and any caller id or message info, so they can go after them for the Impersonation of an Officer issue. Cheers!
The REAL DEA Website has a press release warning about these scams, here's a snippit:
"The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as DEA special agents or other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scheme.
The criminals call the victims (who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the lnternet or by telephone) and identify themselves as DEA agents or law enforcement officials from other agencies. The impersonators inform their victims that purchasing drugs over the lnternet or by telephone is illegal, and that enforcement action will be taken against them unless they pay a fine. In most cases, the impersonators instruct their victims to pay the "fine" via wire transfer to a designated location, usually overseas. If victims refuse to send money, the impersonators often threaten to arrest them or search their property. Some victims who purchased their drugs using a credit card also reported fraudulent use of their credit cards. Impersonating a federal agent is a violation of federal law."
They do mention that no federal agent would ever call you asking for money!
FEEL FREE TO CALL AND LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE HOTLINE! They are NOT going to prosecute you even if you did buy meds online in the pase. Don't worry!
The more details and identifying info you can give them about the scammer, the better. Include the phone number they called from, the location of the caller- which you see at the top of this thread- name the person gave you while impersonating an officer, the number they dialed, and so on. It also helps to let them know if the caller had any kind of accent. And how harassing these callers are!
Report Extortion Scam Hotline: 1-877-792-2873
If you'd like more info visit the website:
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm