| Photo: Eric Kayne |
| Is she or isn’t she? |
Is that “DEA agent” real or counterfeit? The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is admitting that innocent people are being scammed by bogus “special agents” who are demanding money over the phone or Internet.
In a “Dateline DEA: DEA’s Biweekly E-mail Informant” newsletter dated Friday, May 6, the federal agency tasked with drug enforcement admits there is a problem with the fake-agent scams.
“All too frequently criminals pose at [sic]DEA Special Agents on the phone or via the internet in an attempt to illegally scam innocent individuals,” the email newsletter reads.
The fake DEA agents call their victims (who in most cases, according to the DEA, have previously purchased drugs over the Internet or by telephone) and identify themselves as DEA agents or law enforcement officials from other agencies, according to the DEA website.
The impersonators tell their victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or by telephone is illegal, and that “enforcement action” will be taken against them unless they pay a fine.
In most cases, the impersonators tell their victims to pay the “fine” via wire transfer to a designated location, usually overseas. If victims refuse to send money, the fake DEA agents often threaten to arrest them or search their property.
Some victims who used their credit cards to buy drugs online or over the phone also reported fraudulent use of their cards.
But some who have experienced the DEA’s presence in the past doubt whether the fake DEA agents could be much worse than the real ones.
“I’ve seen the real DEA at work and when it comes to scams they truly have no competition,” activist Brian Smith of Seattle told Toke of the Town on Friday. “The most dangerous and evil of all the criminals I’ve met were DEA agents. Also the most addicted — to power.”
Meanwhile, we have the DEA admitting that just because someone claims to be a DEA agent doesn’t mean they are.
“Impersonating a federal agent is a violation of federal law,” the DEA warns. “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.”
“If you are contacted on the phone or via the internet by an individual who claims to be a DEA Special Agent and demands money, do not send it to them,” the May 6 email advises.
“Instead, call our extortion scam hotline at 1-877-792-2873, or click here to find out more information.”
