Report this scam, federal crime to impersonate an officer, DEA does not operate this way

How can you call him? Does he have a number? He called me yesterday and I had him on the phone some 30 minutes. He said my phone would be bugged forever. While talking to him I Googled this scam and found these notes. I think he knew he was toast. But the number they give you is never answered, but they will call you back. So there must be something I can do as you say you did. Thank you

ALERT - EXTORTION SCAM - ALERT
DEA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by
DEA Special Agent Impersonators
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.  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 lnternet 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.

Report Extortion Scam: 1-877-792-2873

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm

Got a call from this guy Leroy Solomon on my work #. He left a msg saying he was involved with a special investigation about buying illegal drugs. sounded like he was reading from a script.
Must have used my name 20 times in the msg.
He is waiting for my return call. He can keep waiting.

I received call from 443 982-0572,  These criminals never give-up. I recognized their voice from the last time they drove me crazy trying to extort me.  They gave me the same conversation you received , about 8 months. First everyone should know, the DEA will visit you not call you and ask for your help to catch the bad people, Blah Blah Blah. To help they needed me to western union money to them.

Please do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize.  These criminals spend all their time trying to extort , they have many, many many phone numbers. Some are even land lines

I got these scam calls and now they operate in two phases. First phase: Got a call from number 443-982-0572 , who claims to be an DEA enforcement officer. He says they confiscated medical shipment that was being sent to my address from an international Medical company, whom they are investigating. When I said I never ordered any prescriptions online. He said, I believe in you and we will destroy the package and he needs to close the report by sending it to his superior officer.

I suspected it as a scam and searched google and found this website.

Second Phase: Within 15 minutes I got a call from 301-494-7203 Leroy Soloman  with a threatening voice that he will send the enforcement officers and press criminal charges, even though I said i never ordered any prescriptions online, he said you might have ordered when you stayed in your old address (6 or 7 years back). This gives a clear conflict between the first caller and the second one. The
details he gave  badge # AGP294 and phone number 301-494-7203 ext 7225 and wants my attorney to call him. When I said you are fraud and I already found out about this scam he just screams and hung up.

I called the DOJ http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm and reported the scam.

This person said the same to me. But once I got the phone number he just hung up............Don't you just love these jerks???

Got a voice message from this number. The caller spoke English as a first language, but his voice was so scratchy sounding as to be barely intelligible. But there he urged me to call back a number and something about investigating an online pharmacy.

I received the call a week ago on a Friday while driving, Leroy had me thinking I was going to jail, I never ordered drugs online, he was going to have my house stormed by DEA Agents.  Now I keep calling him and harassing him.  Now he is selling stuff on the internet and claims he was never a DEA Agent, that was his twin brother.  Everyone should keep calling and playing with him.

Looks like you have a typing impediment!! Are you Leroy?????

"special agent" left msg trying to scare me as well -----   i haunt called bak yet to mess with him -- i wanna do sutten real gd with all the info i now have

i got same msg ??? crazy ?

Got one of these calls today that scared me immensely (any sort of interaction with a three-letter agency like the DEA is an interaction that you do not want to experience); however, a number of elements about the "special agent" Leory Soloman/Solomon sounded extremely fishy.  Did some intel on the internet and was relieved to discover that this individual is just a scammer.

Same just happened to me.  He called (Leroy Soloman - pronounced gleerow Shullermun) a couple of months ago and scared my 74 yr old husband who is ill - but not me!  I told him he sounded so fake and just made fun of his talking - the way he speaks is obviously so fake to me - he got upset and told me not to disrespect the law!  Then I called the number back, speaking just like he did and said that we tracked his number with electronic surveillience equipt and that he would be raided shortly by the Federal Agents he is impersonating.  I said "be prepared - with a strong southern draw - it make take a few days, but we will be there".  Maybe he will stop for a little while?
I wish someone would catch him!!

A man left a message from this number saying he was from the DEA and said they had a search    
warrant,because I suppposedly bought illegal drugs online and told me to call them back immediately.
What a bunch of BS.

Got a call from some guy a heavy accent saying I purchased drugs! He sounded very demanding!

I found this web site from googling Soloman, this should help.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm

A friend received a call from this number from someone purporting to be DEA and telling her "prepare to be arrested" for buying online pharmaceuticals. She called the number back and whoever answered the phone said "DEA".

A Leroy Soloman called me twice yesterday.  I took the first call, second call went to voice mail.  He claimed to be with DEA.  Gave me his badge # AGP294 and phone number 301-761-3988 ext 7225.  He expected me to call him back because I told him I was at work.  I did google search and found multiple cases of the scams that are occuring.  Thanks to everyone who took the time to post this scammer's scare tactics!

I also got a call from this 'Leroy Solloman,' that is the name he gave me, telling me the same thing. What I found intresting was the phone service was really bad, a lot of static, and we got disconnected several times.Don't know about Magic Jack, but Skype sometimes has that. I got in contact with the local DEA office. I will not say the person's name I talked to, but the guy said "Who?!" just like that. He wanted all the info I had got from Solloman, including where to send the money via Western Union money transfer money in minutes to a Maribel Monegro in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. I played along with Leroy like as if I was going to send it. Solloman called back looking for the conformation number, and I told him to get in contact with the local DEA office here, and hung up. That was yesterday afternoon. Now waiting for his return call - if he does.

scriptastic, that is freaking HILARIOUS!!  I got a call from this same do***ebag last week and was totally confused at first.  First of all, I could barely understand what the heck the guy was even saying...I couldn't figure out if he just had an accent or if he was mentally impaired.  He left some incomprensible message on my voice mail and asked me to call back, so I did.  He asked if I ever ordered prescriptions online in which I answered no...then he started yelling at me, calling me a liar and saying that federal agents would be at my door within 5-7 hours to lock me up and "throw me behind bars".

Out of the myriad of things I found strange about this retarded conversation was the fact that he was warning me that I was going to be arrested...didn't think the DEA would tip you off that they were on their way.  Either way, after the call, I called my lawyer and he said it was a prank and not to worry about it.

oh how I wish good old Leroy would call me back again...I would have so much fun with him!

This s*** just happened to me today.  I should have googled the number before I called my lawyer.  I, too, am quite relieved that this s*** ain't legit.

so glad I found this website!  Received the same type of call yesterday, and the guy sounded like he was calling from somewhere in the back hills of Kentucky.  He said the phone call was being recorded and I told him it was being recorded on my end.  After about a 20 sec conversation, I told him to send me a letter and to go to hell!

Dude you gotta keep f****ng with this a** clown, it's fun

Dont fall for this.....I got the call tonight and have never bought Drugs online or even attempted too....B.S.... He couldn't even spell my name right..... Leroy, if your gonna make these calls, at least sound somewhat human and not like a ratard as Allan would call you on Hangover....but you do sound like the little monkey with the rolling stones cut off jean jacket

Just got a call (7:30 pm est) from 'Leroy Soloman - AGP 294 with the DEA at 301-761-3988 ext 7225 referencing an 'online transaction for muscle relaxant pills, etc.' and that the police would be by at noon tomorrow unless I turn myself in. He asked if I'd purchased any scripts online to which I replied that my employer requires us to use Medco mail order for our scripts to which he replied, 'oh they're one of the big ones we're investigating' (which is pure bs - they could not be MORE legit) - plus he said he was on central standard time, but his area code is eastern standard time and he had a very thick southern accent for a midwesterner. He claimed to be 'the best agent' in the agency - but did not ask for money but for my lawyer to call him ASAP - so I left a message with my lawyer's office.

Reading this page has calmed me down substantially so thank you all for your contributions... any other information out there?

Posed as "Assistant Special Agent In-Charge Leroy Schullerman" with the "Drug Enforcement Agency" (as opposed to "Drug Enforcement ADMINISTRATION"). Claimed to have proof that I illegally ordered, purchased and received prescription drugs (which was news to me). Was clearly trying to scare me into thinking I was in trouble, presumably to extort money to keep the federal agents a block away  from storming my house. It seemed especially odd since he had somebody else's name and there are no "blocks" in my neighborhood (not to mention my closest neighbor is 12 miles away). I had some fun with ASAIC Schullerman, teased him about his speech impediment, and told him how I used to f**k guys like him in prison (not true, but I enjoyed the roll play). I've called the number back a dozen or so times today and left several fun messages, and just kicked off a small, quickly-written Python script that repeatedly dials the number through an old, but handy, little dialer I've had for years. It only cost me about an hour of productivity but it was so worth it.

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

I recieved this call today too they said something about online pharmacy, search, warrant, supbenas, at my address. this is crazy. the only left a message on my voice mail. tried to call number back with no answer. then immediately after that got a call from some online pharmacy asking me to buy illegal pills. Very scary.

This number called claiming to be DEA about online pharmacy. This scam has been around awhile, they try to scare you into sending money. They can sound very official at first but when you tell them you did not order any medication they go beserk. They say it was 18-24 months ago, hoping you will think something happened that you are unaware of. Do not fall for it.