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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 just looked up on the FDA.GOV website, there is a link where they know about this scam; and these people are just trying to extort money.  http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm239309.htm

I just got home and had the same message on my machine, that they have an arrest warrant for me and a warrant for my house.   Lt. Karen Thomas from the Food and Drug admin about a package they confiscated, now that I know that this is a big hoax I tried calling back to have a little fun with her, but the phone wont even ring now - 562-606-1199 ext 1824, darn, I have tried  5 times now, I really want to talk to her and have a little bit of fun acting scared, and asking her "what should I do now?"   what is it that she needs to make this go away........

That same number called my cell, didnt recongize it so sent to voice mail - same message as everyone received! My Lt. Karen  did not have any accent though -   I look up number and found saw all of you!  I am wondering if there will be a BIG CHARGE on your phone bills...........one of those type scams!!!    Amazing, just amazing.................................

I just received a phone call from them on my cell!!!  Didnt recognize the number so sent it to voicemail- she left a message stating she was from FDA, KIAREN THOMAS, she said she had a "package on her desk addressed to me and had warrant for my arrest and search warrant for my house!!!   WHAT THE "F" !!  I  didnt bother calling once I looked up number and found all this......not that I was worried!  But I may call my attorney and ask what "I" can do about them as I believe they are breaking the law by impersonating a Federal Office !!!   That is crazy!

Received message this morning (11/15).  Same message from Karen Thomas from the FDA as everyone else.  Boy am I glad this was on the net.  Wouldn't give me her badge number.  I then called back 4 times.  The first 3 we're an answering machine and on the 4th time "Karen" picked up again, only this time using a higher pitch of the same voice (same accent) answering as Stacy.  Beware, folks, beware.

Sally - This is a great news ..... THANK YOU !!!!!

Lt. Karen Thomas is now under investigation by the FDA, FBI, FDIC, J. P. Morgan Chase Bank and our local PD.  Our children are both attorneys and we will be seeking any and all remedies available to us in the U. S. Legal system.

I TOO JUST GOT A CALL FROM THEM THEY HAD NO REAL CREDENTIALS.
WARRANT TO SCARE YOU AND SAY YOU HAVE A FELONY COMING TO YOU
AND YOUR RIGHT WHY NOT JUST SHOW UP  AT YOUR HOUSE-------- DUUUHHHH
AND ASK IF YOU HAVE A LAWYER  UCKFA THEM SCAMMERS

THATS ABOUT THE TIME I HUNG UP ON EM AND ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD HAVE CALLED BACK....

Same here--bogus call from "FDA" lieutenant about a confiscated package--of what??

Caller identified herself as Lieut. Karen Thomas from the Food and Drug Administration..

She then fumbled around with papers for a minute was quiet, and then before saying anything else,.

This call is consistent with others writing on this website and it is unfortunately a blight that is creeping in to telephonic communications throughout United States.

This is a scam.

I just received a call from Karen Thomas from the Food and Drug Administration.  She was adiment that she has a package that was confiscated at the Port of U.S. Dominican Republic.  It has my name and address on it and I am going to be arrested by her Federal Agents as soon as we hang up.  She said she had recordings of my voice ordering an illegal medication by internet or phone.  She was referring to one of my old addresses from 5 yrs ago and my maiden name.  It sounded legit and fake at the same time.  I asked her to hang up and call me back and she said that wasn't possible.  She had called my cell phone 3 times before I answered.  She even put me on hold and told me that she would ask the US Customs to give me a second chance.  I have no idea what she gained from keeping me on the phone for a while explaining what she did, but when I started asking questions she hung up.

The same thing happened to me.  At first, I was horrified.  Then I kept calling them back and they told me to stop calling.   One guy got on the phone and told me that he didn't speak english.  I told them that they must make their parents proud and that their grandparents were probably turning over in their graves with happiness.  I called them so many times that now the answering machine just comes on.  I also told them to seek Jesus.  He could certainly help them find a better way to make a living.

This is a scam; I investigated. These people simply get your number from lists sold by companies that provision these orders...

Yes, this is a scam. I got the same call. This is the second time it happened; the first time I made the mistake of contacting an attorney to deal with them, and it cost me money to determine it is a scam. Don't waste your time...it is a scam.

The phone number was 562-606-1199. I missed typed the area code incorrectly as 560 it is 562.

I got a call from Lt. from FDA this morning on my cell at 7am and she accused me of buying diet pills on line and also told me that there is a search warrant for my home and I am going to be in prison for 5 - 7 yrs. I told her that I have never bought any medication on line then she started yelling at me and calling me a liar then I hung up on her. What's going on? how rude is that? I wonder how she got my information?
The number showed on my cell phone was 562-606-1199.

just got a call stating i was going to go to jail and to get a federal lawyer they had a search warrent for my home and a arrest warrent for me because i had supposinly bought drugs on line 5 years ago.(.seriousally come on.)..so i called the FBI in my state and told them what happened because if you call that number back someone anwers by saying Food and drug admin.how can i direct your call..i told the FBI this and she did some checking for me and said this is A SCAM , do not give out any info and to go to FDA.GOV and make a report under fraud so this will get investigated.

I just looked up the number and it has an exchange that points to Long Branch, Ca but the phone number actually breaks down and is registered to T-Mobile.

I just rec'd the same call myself - from Lt. Karen Thomas with e Food and Drug Administration indicating that she confiscated a package of mine from the dom. republic years and year ago.  I indicated there is no way, never ordered such a thing.  People have been calling my number for a while now as well and I've been filing complaints with the FTC. She indicated that it was bc I ordered some medication and I should hire a federal attorney to represent me as there is a search warrant for my home and arrest warrant for me.  I indicated to her - really - my husband is an attorney and the phone went dead.  I have tried to contact her back now 5x - message constantly goes on and then goes dead - unable to even leave a message!!!

Wife got a phone call from this person.  Stated they were a Lt. for a police department and they had a warrent to search our home for diet drugs bought on the internet.  Does not make sense,  If they had a warrant, why not just show up.  She bought drugs over 7 years ago, why investigate now.  Believe they are persons seeking money or other excuse to enter home.

Exact same message but left on my voicemail. I will not be calling her back.

Same thing left on my voicemail same number

Same thing for me-I told them I wanted to conference my attorney in on the call, and they hung up on me. What a bunch of dirtbags.

Yes, I received this call.  Same person and same bull crap story.  She also said that I had an arrest warrant and search warrant issued on me.  She told me an agent would be coming to arrest me.  Then she said to hire a criminal justice attorney.  I told her that I never ordered anything and I would not hire an attorney for something I didn't do.  She then said, don't hire a lawyer and take my chances in court.  Then she hung up.  

Is this for real or is this a prank?

Just received a voice message from a lieutenant Karen Thomas with the FDA in Puerto Rico that stated she had confiscated a package with my contact information on it. She said that I had an arrest warrant and search warrant issued on me.  She told me that the call was being recorded and she was sending an Agent to arrest me.  I asked her if this was a prank.  She told me to hire a criminal justice attorney and hung up.   She had a broken spanish accent.  Anyone else receiving calls from this number?