A guy professing to be a Detective David Brooks, with the, "Federal Food and Drug Administration", supposedly a criminal investigative officer calling on behalf of a prosecuting firm in Florida who according to him were supposedly bringing charges against me for ordering prescription drugs online and via mail and receiving them at my residence, which, of course i have never done nor would i ever do or even allow to be done from my residence under my name and address. Asked me to return a call back at this number # 505-407-5674 within ten minutes,when i did, he claimed he had spoken to this supposed prosecuting firm in Florida and for a no-contest bargain plea fee of $500 dollars, he could have all the charges against me, dropped. Otherwise within 24hrs from tomorrow morning on 08/06/2010, the Federal US Marshalls would arrive on my doorstep to place me under arrest and take me back to Florida. I informed the man, I believed it to be a scam and he said, "Mam, i can tell you don't believe me for i can hear someone laughing in the background there". I replied, "No, sir, i don't believe you, but if you could give me some proof that you're a legit Detective with the Federal Food and Drug Administration as you claim, then perhaps I would believe you." He rattled off a badge number #23609 and a supposed docket # 852725 and then said, "I can tell you don't believe me, mam. So, I'll see you in court" Then just hung up.
I notified my state Police and they informed me that it was a scam. They also said if anyone shows up at my door, I am to notify them immediately.
A guy professing to be a Detective David Brooks, with the, "Federal Food and Drug Administration", supposedly a criminal investigative officer calling on behalf of a prosecuting firm in Florida who according to him were supposedly bringing charges against me for ordering prescription drugs online and via mail and receiving them at my residence, which, of course i have never done nor would i ever do or even allow to be done from my residence under my name and address. Asked me to return a call back at this number # 505-407-5674 within ten minutes,when i did, he claimed he had spoken to this supposed prosecuting firm in Florida and for a no-contest bargain plea fee of $500 dollars, he could have all the charges against me, dropped. Otherwise within 24hrs from tomorrow morning on 08/06/2010, the Federal US Marshalls would arrive on my doorstep to place me under arrest and take me back to Florida. I informed the man, I believed it to be a scam and he said, "Mam, i can tell you don't believe me for i can hear someone laughing in the background there". I replied, "No, sir, i don't believe you, but if you could give me some proof that you're a legit Detective with the Federal Food and Drug Administration as you claim, then perhaps I would believe you." He rattled off a badge number #23609 and a supposed docket # 852725 and then said, "I can tell you don't believe me, mam. So, I'll see you in court" Then just hung up.
I notified my state Police and they informed me that it was a scam. They also said if anyone shows up at my door, I am to notify them immediately.
FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators
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.
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.
"Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law," said Michael Chappell, the FDA's acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. "The public should note that no FDA official will ever contact a consumer by phone demanding money or any other form of payment.”
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.
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.
In addition to posing as FDA officials, criminals have posed as special agents of the DEA, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs Service, as well as U.S. and Dominican prosecutors and judges. In response, the FDA, in conjunction with various federal, state, and local agencies, is actively pursing criminal charges.
The FDA also reminds consumers to use caution when purchasing prescription drugs over the telephone or the Internet. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from Web sites operating outside the law, there is the danger that personal data can be compromised. For more on FDA’s concerns about unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourself/default.htm.