This is (one of many) criminal extortion scams that have been going on for years. Many are operating overseas and out of the reach of US law enforcement, while others are operating within the confines of prison cells here in the US, using contraband cell phones. Others are using VOIP. Either way, they are able to disguise their identities and locations, making them next to impossible to prosecute. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting victims' personal identifying information and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.
guy keeps calling claiming to be with the DEA.. Det. Gonzalez, will issue a warrant if i dont return call, this is an old scam , dont know how or why he got my number
This is (one of many) criminal extortion scams that have been going on for years. Many are operating overseas and out of the reach of US law enforcement, while others are operating within the confines of prison cells here in the US, using contraband cell phones. Others are using VOIP. Either way, they are able to disguise their identities and locations, making them next to impossible to prosecute. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting victims' personal identifying information and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.
My son was horribly scammed. They got him to wire them $250 by Western Union!! Now they keep harrassing and threatening to extradite my son to a 3rd world country? Er! -heres the punchline: If I Wire them US$6000 Dollars. Or else !!
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 internet 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 internet 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. The public should be aware that no DEA agent will ever contact members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment.
The DEA reminds the public to use caution when purchasing controlled substance pharmaceuticals by telephone or through the Internet. It is illegal to purchase controlled substance pharmaceuticals online or by telephone unless very stringent requirements are met. And, all pharmacies that dispense controlled substance pharmaceuticals by means of the internet must be registered with DEA. By ordering any pharmaceutical medications online or by telephone from unknown entities, members of the public risk receiving unsafe, counterfeit, and/or ineffective drugs from criminals who operate outside the law. In addition, personal and financial information could be compromised.
Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be a DEA special agent or other law enforcement official seeking money should refuse the demand and report the threat using the online form below. Please include all fields, including, most importantly, a call back number so that a DEA investigator can contact you for additional information. Online reporting will greatly assist DEA in investigating and stopping this criminal activity.