202-239-6902
DC, US
 | Got that Right 2012-02-12 16:12:48 Unknown |
FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2011
Media Inquiries: Christopher Kelly, 301-796-4676 christopher.kelly@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
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 a continued 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 Dara Corrigan, the FDA?s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. ?FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action.?
In most instances, victims of extortion-related calls have also received telephone solicitations for additional pharmaceutical purchases from other possibly related, illegal entities located overseas. The extortionists use customer lists complete with extensive personal information provided through previous purchase transactions. These include names, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, purchase histories and credit card account numbers.
Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.
No known victim has been approached in person by a law enforcement impersonator associated with this scheme.
The FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of various U.S. Attorneys, are pursuing multiple national and international criminal investigations.
Arrests have been made and additional prosecutions are pending; however, the scheme is likely to continue. The FDA has issued similar warnings in the past:
§ FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators1 (11/12/2008)
§ FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators2 (12/29/2009)
Victims of this scheme who have suffered monetary loss through the payment of funds in response to an extortion call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official regarding illegal pharmaceutical transactions may obtain a victim questionnaire by contacting the FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations3 and clicking ?Report Suspected Criminal Activity.?
Anyone receiving a purported official document on agency letterhead may verify its authenticity by contacting that organization directly via a publicly available phone number. Additionally, all federal agencies use email addresses with a ?gov? email extension.
The FDA also reminds consumers that pharmaceutical products offered online and by telephone by sources of unknown origin can pose a substantial health risk. Products recovered during this investigation that were purchased from online or telephone sources have been found to contain trace amounts of heroin, other undisclosed and potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. Purchases should only be made from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from Web sites operating outside the law, personal data may be compromised.
For more on unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see Protecting Yourself4.
Questions and Answers
How did these people obtain my information?
They likely obtained the victim?s information based on a previous online or telepharmacy transaction, or from a submitted medical questionnaire. These instances could have occurred years ago, with personal information now on customer lists trafficked by these criminal groups. These customer lists can contain tens of thousands of names and a substantial amount of self-reported data provided by consumers during previous transactions. Typically, victims are being contacted by multiple unrelated groups, often for different purposes. (extortion, selling illegal pharmaceuticals, etc.)
How do I make the calls stop?
The extorters, just like the majority of telephone solicitors for illegal prescription medication, are based overseas and use voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone numbers, most commonly ?Magic Jack?. These services provide the extorters with the flexibility to constantly change their phone numbers and select ones with U.S. area codes. If the victims change whatever number(s) were used to contact them, and do not engage in any additional risky pharmaceutical transactions, the threatening phone calls and associated telephone solicitations for pharmaceuticals should cease.
What proactive steps can victims take?
Individuals who purchase medication online or via tele-pharmacies are frequently victims of credit card fraud, since this is how the medication is often purchased. Victims may want to consider alerting their applicable financial institutions to ensure that identity theft has not occurred.
Why is FDA only asking victims who have lost money to contact the agency?The most effective way to track these criminals is to investigate the permanent record established when money transfers take place.
Have individuals been arrested?
Yes. However, this scheme will likely not be eradicated and instead will continue to evolve. For example, the extorters now occasionally reference other countries, such as Costa Rica, instead of the DR, as means to avoid all of the publicity regarding this scheme.
Am I going to be able to get my money back?
In almost all instances victims will not be able to recoup losses. Multiple criminal groups employ this scheme, principally from overseas, and large monetary seizures are not anticipated.
Am I in danger?
In terms of physical danger, no victim has ever been approached in person, and the vast majority of these callers, regardless of their intent, are based overseas. Their use of ?police-type scanners?, law enforcement language and fictitious documents are attempts at a false sense of legitimacy. Extorters also occasionally reference cars parked on a victim?s street -- information that can be obtained online at various Web sites, as a way to frighten individuals into believing the extorters are near their residence. If an individual feels threatened for his or her personal safety, immediately contact the appropriate local enforcement agency.
Is it possible that these callers are part of some ?secret? investigative group, and FDA is just not aware of it?
No. Law enforcement officials from both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic are pursuing these criminals. More information regarding this scheme is available on FDA and DEA Web sites, or through online searches. Extradition proceedings between countries require close cooperation and often a formal treaty, and this often takes an extended period of time to complete.
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm239309.htm
For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2011
Media Inquiries: Christopher Kelly, 301-796-4676 christopher.kelly@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
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 a continued 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 Dara Corrigan, the FDA?s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. ?FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action.?
In most instances, victims of extortion-related calls have also received telephone solicitations for additional pharmaceutical purchases from other possibly related, illegal entities located overseas. The extortionists use customer lists complete with extensive personal information provided through previous purchase transactions. These include names, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, purchase histories and credit card account numbers.
Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.
No known victim has been approached in person by a law enforcement impersonator associated with this scheme.
The FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of various U.S. Attorneys, are pursuing multiple national and international criminal investigations.
Arrests have been made and additional prosecutions are pending; however, the scheme is likely to continue. The FDA has issued similar warnings in the past:
§ FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators1 (11/12/2008)
§ FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators2 (12/29/2009)
Victims of this scheme who have suffered monetary loss through the payment of funds in response to an extortion call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official regarding illegal pharmaceutical transactions may obtain a victim questionnaire by contacting the FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations3 and clicking ?Report Suspected Criminal Activity.?
Anyone receiving a purported official document on agency letterhead may verify its authenticity by contacting that organization directly via a publicly available phone number. Additionally, all federal agencies use email addresses with a ?gov? email extension.
The FDA also reminds consumers that pharmaceutical products offered online and by telephone by sources of unknown origin can pose a substantial health risk. Products recovered during this investigation that were purchased from online or telephone sources have been found to contain trace amounts of heroin, other undisclosed and potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. Purchases should only be made from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from Web sites operating outside the law, personal data may be compromised.
For more on unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see Protecting Yourself4.
Questions and Answers
How did these people obtain my information?
They likely obtained the victim?s information based on a previous online or telepharmacy transaction, or from a submitted medical questionnaire. These instances could have occurred years ago, with personal information now on customer lists trafficked by these criminal groups. These customer lists can contain tens of thousands of names and a substantial amount of self-reported data provided by consumers during previous transactions. Typically, victims are being contacted by multiple unrelated groups, often for different purposes. (extortion, selling illegal pharmaceuticals, etc.)
How do I make the calls stop?
The extorters, just like the majority of telephone solicitors for illegal prescription medication, are based overseas and use voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone numbers, most commonly ?Magic Jack?. These services provide the extorters with the flexibility to constantly change their phone numbers and select ones with U.S. area codes. If the victims change whatever number(s) were used to contact them, and do not engage in any additional risky pharmaceutical transactions, the threatening phone calls and associated telephone solicitations for pharmaceuticals should cease.
What proactive steps can victims take?
Individuals who purchase medication online or via tele-pharmacies are frequently victims of credit card fraud, since this is how the medication is often purchased. Victims may want to consider alerting their applicable financial institutions to ensure that identity theft has not occurred.
Why is FDA only asking victims who have lost money to contact the agency?The most effective way to track these criminals is to investigate the permanent record established when money transfers take place.
Have individuals been arrested?
Yes. However, this scheme will likely not be eradicated and instead will continue to evolve. For example, the extorters now occasionally reference other countries, such as Costa Rica, instead of the DR, as means to avoid all of the publicity regarding this scheme.
Am I going to be able to get my money back?
In almost all instances victims will not be able to recoup losses. Multiple criminal groups employ this scheme, principally from overseas, and large monetary seizures are not anticipated.
Am I in danger?
In terms of physical danger, no victim has ever been approached in person, and the vast majority of these callers, regardless of their intent, are based overseas. Their use of ?police-type scanners?, law enforcement language and fictitious documents are attempts at a false sense of legitimacy. Extorters also occasionally reference cars parked on a victim?s street -- information that can be obtained online at various Web sites, as a way to frighten individuals into believing the extorters are near their residence. If an individual feels threatened for his or her personal safety, immediately contact the appropriate local enforcement agency.
Is it possible that these callers are part of some ?secret? investigative group, and FDA is just not aware of it?
No. Law enforcement officials from both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic are pursuing these criminals. More information regarding this scheme is available on FDA and DEA Web sites, or through online searches. Extradition proceedings between countries require close cooperation and often a formal treaty, and this often takes an extended period of time to complete.
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm239309.htm
| Roseanne Ash 2012-02-12 16:06:31 Prank Call |
Roseanne Ash Irecieved a message on Feb 6,2012 on my cell phone saying it was Special Agent John Gilmore from the DEA They had conficated a package under my name and address and it had a controlled substance medication.I called back before I found this website and gave them my home phone number which is unlisted. Now I'm nervous about my bank accts.,credit scores ect.
| anon 2012-02-10 20:06:01 Prank Call |
Same here--left massage: John Gilmore, DEA special agent, controlled substances package. It's amusing to think that the DEA would be nice enough to call people before busting them for drugs.
| M.Davis 2012-02-09 20:30:58 Unknown |
I just recieved a call from a man claiming to be a fed agent, John Gilmore. threatened me with being arrested etc.....i needed to pay a fine to dismiss charges. its a scam. he started freaking out when I mention a friend is a DEAofficer & i wished to speak with him before continuing our conversation. they tried acting as if they were transfering calls to other locations by just pushing the buttons on the phone.....what dumb a-- peeps!
| Janet Maday 2012-02-09 17:39:27 Prank Call |
I just got the exact same phone call as above. I was told I had to be transferred to the Dominican Republic and pay a 25,000 fine. I typed in "scam with the phone number" under google and found this site. He also got very threatening when I told him I found this site . My friend looked this up on his phone and found there was a federal case against HIM in 2009. OMG!
| Dianne 2012-02-09 14:53:54 Unknown |
Just got this call myself a few minutes ago. I told him to talk to my son in law who is a police officer, he started to get really rude and threatening so I told him to serve a subpoena then we would talk.
| Lindsay 2012-02-08 21:14:30 Unknown |
Same thing here! I told him to get a life right away and he needed to find someone else to try to scam. I didn't even let him say anything about a fine. Right away, I knew he was a loser. I have an ad on Craigslist and this had to have been where he got my information.
| John 2012-02-07 22:44:10 Unknown |
Just came home to the same message, called the number and the guy on the other end was going to send federal agents to my home for ordering drugs over the Internet. Not only did he not have my name correct, when I told him to go ahead and send them on over I was wondering what address he had for me? Of coarse it was not my address. It's amazing what idiots will try and get away with!!!
| ma.lynn D 2012-02-07 21:16:09 Prank Call |
This same person ("Special Agent John Gilmore") called me today and left a voice mail on my work phone (which is a private line). He claimed to have confiscated a package address to my name and address which contained a controlled substance. I called the DC DEA office and they confirmed that this call was a scam and advised not to call back. I hope they catch this guy and he be dealt with appropriately!
| karen 2012-02-07 20:56:08 Unknown |
I just received a call from the same number....a Mr.John Gilmore, claiming to be a DEA Agent and threatening me with immediate arrest fooking forward to seeing how thisr ordering illegal drugs over the internet/phone.... when I asked him what address these drugs were sent to, it was not mine. Plus, when asked, he said I was a 40-42 year old woman, which is not my age. He was a total phony..... Finally, my daughter is a DEA agent...LOL! I am looking forward to seeing this dealt with appropriately!
| Rich 2012-02-07 18:24:43 Unknown |
Who calls from this number and what do they want.
| Grace 2012-02-04 21:40:35 Unknown |
I just received a voice mail from the above number. The man said he was Special Agent John Gilmore with the DEA regarding a special unmarked package under my name which contained an controlled substance. I did not call back however I did contact a family friend who is a legitimate DEA. He plans on investigating this to the fullest.This is not a branch of government people want to scam.
| Jim Sanford 2012-02-03 19:36:15 Prank Call |
Made threats to arrest me or pay fine
| John Reger 2012-02-03 19:34:11 Debt Collector |
Threaten me
| vickie 2012-01-24 18:24:09 Unknown |
i just got a call too about it tooand everything about it too
| Sad but True 2012-01-17 16:53:09 Unknown |
Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans
Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010 FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
? filed under: Press Release
The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.
According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.
The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim?s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims? relatives, friends, and employers.
Some fraudsters have instructed victims to fax a statement agreeing to pay a certain amount, on a specific date, via a pre-paid Visa card. The statement further declares the victim will never dispute the debt.
If you receive these calls, do not follow the caller?s instructions. Rather, you should:
?Notify your banking institutions.
?Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file.
?Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger.
?File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
?Never give your Social Security number?or personal information of any kind?over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
?Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. The e-mail may include upsetting or exciting but false statements to get you to react immediately.
?Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that request personal information.
?Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and security patches have been applied.
?Check your bank, credit, and debit card statements regularly to make sure that there are no unauthorized transactions. If anything looks suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.
?When you contact companies, use numbers provided on the back of cards or statements
http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010 FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
? filed under: Press Release
The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.
According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.
The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim?s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims? relatives, friends, and employers.
Some fraudsters have instructed victims to fax a statement agreeing to pay a certain amount, on a specific date, via a pre-paid Visa card. The statement further declares the victim will never dispute the debt.
If you receive these calls, do not follow the caller?s instructions. Rather, you should:
?Notify your banking institutions.
?Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file.
?Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger.
?File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
?Never give your Social Security number?or personal information of any kind?over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
?Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. The e-mail may include upsetting or exciting but false statements to get you to react immediately.
?Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that request personal information.
?Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and security patches have been applied.
?Check your bank, credit, and debit card statements regularly to make sure that there are no unauthorized transactions. If anything looks suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.
?When you contact companies, use numbers provided on the back of cards or statements
http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
| haha 2012-01-17 16:51:42 Unknown |
same moron called my phone telling me he had my house and email address, along with banking information, but none of it made sense, this guy will enjoy prison, im so glad my uncle is an attorney and i can have this looked into.. i was told that federal agents would be at my job and house within 90 minutes to arrest me, what a joke
| j 2012-01-11 21:07:17 Unknown |
just received a call from guy saying he was special agent John Gilmore, threatening to have me arrested if i don't pay a fine for ordering medicine over the internet. I really hope they catch this guy and throw the book at him. There was also another guy who I was transferred to by the name of agent Doug Coleman, this is really a sick game and i hope you grt caught. I am so glad my cousin is a detective for our local police department.
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