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

Received a call yesterday at my place of busy. I missed the call and Officer RONALD MCCARTHY left a message.  I returned the call it went to his voice mail stated that he was officer Ronald Mccarthy from the nacarotic division.  He later return my call stating that he was indeed Officer Roanld McCarthy from nacarotic division #79 his badge # was A2289, and he even gave me a case #.  They had just did a big drug bust in the Dominion Republic and my name came up in their files.  He transferred me to a so call DEA and his name was JAMES KASSON and he told me  I had 3 options to be on house arrest for a year wearing an ankle bracelet; option 2 enter into a 3 month drug program which they would take me there and I had to stay in the facility for the 3 months, 3rd option to pay a file for $2,300.00.  I had to talk to them in private, and they didn't want me to contact anyone.  We got off the phone at 4:30pm and they needed the money by 5:00pm  that day or they will come and arrest me on my job.  They would take me to Panama City Florida then I would be extradited to the The Dominican Republic. They really had me upset.

This is a scammer who is calling people on a customer list who ordered in the past from an online consumer pharmacy. He say's he is a DEA DRUG AGENT and claims that you are in big trouble and are under criminal investigation as a drug suspect, he callled my elderly 80yr mother in Texas and said I needed to get back with him ASAP or a police car will be parked in front of her residence 8 hours a day and that the police would be raiding her house and arresting her, he scared the life out of her causing her to call me overseas, I googled the number and realized that he is a police impersonator in the Dominican Republic making false allegations on innocent consumers and extorting money to close the  "supposed"case...

This is a scammer who is calling people on a customer list who ordered in the past from an online consumer pharmacy. He say's he is a DEA DRUG AGENT and claims that you are in big trouble and are under criminal investigation as a drug suspect, he callled my elderly 80yr mother in Texas and said I needed to get back with him ASAP or a police car will be parked in front of her residence 8 hours a day and that the police would be raiding her house and arresting her, he scared the life out of her causing her to call me overseas, I googled the number and realized that he is a police impersonator making false allegations on innocent consumers and extorting money to close the  "supposed"case...

Just received call from same, said he was a DEA Agent and wanted to arrest my wife.

Shold have known this was BS, as to the manor of which he treated me, towards my wife

This number is utilized by a group of scammers. The person who contacted me from this number was impersonating a federal DEA agent. He tried to scam me out of $4300. They need to be stopped from harming our US citizens. They are liars and try to scam money from upstanding, unsuspecting US citizens. Do not give them money. If they relay that they will arrest you please ignore this. It is a total scam.

Beware if you receive a call from someone from this number. Regardless of how serious they may sound this is a complete scam. Whatever you do, do not wire or give them money. I repeat: this is a major scam. Do not feel under pressure to provide them with any money or information. Hang up and send them on their way.

This same dip s*** tried to scam me. Thank you for your report. I hope they catch his a** and throw him in jail for the next 20 years!

This guy just tried and scammed me last week. Is there a way we can join together and get this fat f*** arrested? I am all ears. It sounds like he is going to continue this scam fest unless we join together and stop him. Any thoughts????

This guy, Anthony Willimas, is a piece of work. This is a major scam. He is a lair and a thief. Claimed to be a federal DEA agent. Said he was going to arrest me and extradite me to the Dominican Republic. What a crock of s***. Luckily, I did not wire money per his instructions. If you receive a call from this number call your local police. Tell him to get f****d.

Anthony Williams called me and left me a message saying  he was with DEA office in Florida and there was an investigation and i needed to call him as soon as possible regarding prescribtion drugs.

He left me a voice mail also and I called him back and left him a message and told the stupid a** i also work for the govt and for him not to call me back and that i have reported him for extortion. Because  i received a call a couple of months agoe from a different person and phone number  Well i never heard back from him.

Officer Anthony Williams, from the DEA, just called me too!
He left me a voicemail, in which he very sternly told me to return his call....850-615-1291.

B*te me, "Officer Williams"!
I'm reporting you in hopes of aiding in YOUR arrest, instead of "mine".

I just had a guy call named Anthony Williams saying he was from a dea office his phone number is 850-615-1291, i know this is a scam because i looked him up on the internet.

Today at 3pm. Officer Larry Jackson called with the same story, after a 40 minute talk and describing many personal details he said I had a warrant out of Dominican Republic, Punta-Cana. Either Pay $3000.00 in 45 minuter or the DEA will search and arrest me at home with 4 charges and Jail time.
Nothing happened but scared the crap out of me !!!

Got a call from officer Delgado.

Wife received a call yesterday from (850) 615-1291. Caller identified himself as Larry Jackson with DEA and scared my wife for good 20 mins on the phone. Wife said, they really sounded like for real. Of course! He asked my wife to cooperate with their on going investigations. He gave my wife an option of 2 years house arrest or pay the fine. Wife hang up, crying and said, Sheriff is coming over in 5 mins to arrest me. Really.....WHY ON HELL, THESE MORONS CALLED PRIOR TO MAKING ARREST!
WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS....

just had a call from "officer Delgado"  I think he meant agent.  could not stop laughing long enough to tell him to p****off.  I did tell him to come along i would be waiting.  do no fall for these guys.  real cops come in person with a badge and ID.

Just laugh it really sends them off the wall

"Larry Jackson" is who tried to scam me. Scared me to death!!!!  Thanks to everyone for posting about threse scum bags.

Same thing happened to me today. A man calling himself Officer Larry Jackson with the Drug Enforcement Administration was shutting down online pharmacys making illegal drug sales. Said my name appeared on a list in a warehouse where prescription drugs were being cut with cocain and imported to US. Demand my full cooperation or DEA agents will be at my house in 7 minutes, search my house and take me away in handcuffs and face 15 years in prison. My options were: house arrest for 1 year, 5 years probation and 1 month jail or $3000 fine. He knew about my family, what car I drove, bisiness and address. I chose option 3. He told me to pay the fine imediately by Money Gram. He said my phone was monitored and not to make any calls or the deal was off. I hung up and called 911 and was directed to an investigator. He said it was probably a scam. He checked with the DEA and called back in 10 minutes saying it was a scam!

Rich

THIS IS AN EXTORTION SCAM. Scammers pretend to be law enforcement (police, sheriff, Feds, AG's Office, fake cop agencies with made-up names) and may be using bought/hacked/phished loan application data to extort money or personal info for fictitious crimes.
The real DEA warns about fake-DEA extortion scams here http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2010/denver111010.html
The real FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The real FDA warns about fake-FDA extortion scams here http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2009/ucm195814.htm
The real FDIC warns about fake-FDIC extortion scams here http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/specialalert/2010/sa10131.html
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.

I had a "DEA" officer call me for this number today. When I refused to answer his questions, he did exactly as people have reported. He said they would be at more door in 5 minutes with a search warrant and am arrest warrant. He pulled the, "we have been by your house and saw your truck." I knew that is what you see on Google maps.

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

Just got off the phone with officer Delgado. Thank God I checked this website - the attempted extortion continues.  He called from an 806 number and was pretty convincing.

If he was for "real" he would'nt CALL you....
They would just show up. This is a SCAM to frighten you into compliance.
Tell him to "Bring it on!!!!" Tell him you just replaced the batteries in your laser gunsite :)

An Officer Mike Delgado called and said I had a federal warrant out for my arrest for buying medicine online. I could either spend a year on house arrest, 6 months in rehab, or $3000 fine. His officers were five minutes away, and they would take my children away, search my house, and take me away in handcuffs to be processed in Annapolis. I live in rural Maryland   I would then be extradited to the Dominican Republic and be publicly humiliated. Very scared until I found this site.

An Officer Mike Delgado called and said I had a federal warrant out for my arrest. I could either spend a year on house arrest, 6 months in rehab, or $3000 fine. His officers were five minutes away, and they would take my children, search my house, and take me away in handcuffs.  Very scared until I found this site.