Got a call from 206-414-6679, caller identified himself as Michael Hutt or Michael Hugg, said he was with the DEA and my name had come up in an ongoing investigation.  Ignore the call, it is a scam.  I have received half-a-dozen similar calls over the past year or two.  Others report they try to extort money and threaten you with arrest, but never show up to arrest you.

No real officer of the law would dare do such a thing.

It is a scam.  Ignore it.

Got a call from "DEA/US Customs Agent Michael Hegg Narcotics Unit Div 78 Badge N22 295" threatening an arrest and/or search for purchasing restricted medications from the Dominican Republic and offered to settle for a fine instead of a court date in two days which would require a federal attorney. Told him it sounded like a scam and that I have not participated in any such activity. He got angry and told me the officers are on their way. Slight Hispanic accent and bad grammar.

Called me and left voice mail stating they were from the DEA and my name had come up in an "ongoing criminal investigation". When I called the number back i got voice mail.

FROM THE DEA WEBSITE

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

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://800notes.com/news/fda-warns-of-extortion-phone-scam-by-fake-agents

Extortionists posing as FDA OR DEA agents are targeting customers of online and over-the-phone pharmacies, demanding victims pay cash fines or else face law enforcement action, the FDA warned today.

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.

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.?

Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.

The FDA?s Office of Criminal Investigations is 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 encourages anyone who believes they have been a victim of this phone scam to contact the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations.

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