The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scam.
The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials.
The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards.
http://800notes.com/news/AFUHEe1RxABwxAjMXbSkRA
The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm, and or incarceration.
Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official who is seeking money to settle a law enforcement action for the illegal purchase of drugs over the Internet should refuse the demand and call the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office at (800) 521-5783 to report the crime.
FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action, with fines payable to the U.S. Treasury.
i receive call from this number and i when to the police since is are froud call telling the person that they are police officer working for the DEA and we need to paid a fine or we going to jail!!1 i would like to know how is the owner of the phone.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scam.
The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials.
The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards.
http://800notes.com/news/AFUHEe1RxABwxAjMXbSkRA
The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm, and or incarceration.
Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official who is seeking money to settle a law enforcement action for the illegal purchase of drugs over the Internet should refuse the demand and call the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office at (800) 521-5783 to report the crime.
FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action, with fines payable to the U.S. Treasury.
Well, isn't this interesting...I figured this wasn't legitimate that the DEA would be calling me...they don't call; they just come to your house...why would the DEA want me??...when I didn't answer the phone, he left a message that he was Officer Castillo from the DEA...I tried to call back a short time later, & the voice mail was someone else's name (he did say DEA, though)...I didn't leave a messsage...figured they'd see I had called...I got a call back all right...something about a 3-1/2 year investigation into illegal drug sales via the internet where they busted 3 companies that spanned India, South America & the U.S. They weren't interested in me, just the people running the company/ies, & that people have died from the meds because they weren't FDA produced...these guys have way too much time on their hands to think of all this stuff...I think I've heard from them B4...maybe back in February...they change their phone #'s/area codes...I recognized the guys voice...VERY SMOOTH...like he's your bud...HE'S NOT YOUR BUD...he just wants your money...seems like it would just be easier to get a job...what a way to make a living...what's funny to me is that they got the wrong Les...must be another Les that ordered on line...jokes on them...
I received several calls today from a Peter Johnson, a Micheal Spencer and yesterday a message from a Todd Gorner all stating to be with the DEA, working on a case and it was going to court Mon. They said I had purchased controlled medication over the Internet 3 years ago and they caught the bad guys who sold it to me. They said they would not arrest me if I would wire them $820 to a Melvin Arias in NY, NY.That was my fine and not to tell Western Union what it was for. Everyone had a accent like Hispanic and from New York. I was to call them at 202 239-5571 ( which is in Washington DC) after I wired the money and all would be forgiven. This is a real dilly of a scam and I reported it to the DEA at 1 877 792-2873. Thanks for the warning as I was just getting ready to go to the police and report it. The same scam is reported with the 202 239-5571 number.