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DEA Impersonators Scamming Central Illinois Residents
If you got a call from an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, it would probably get your attention quick--especially if they're threatening to arrest you.
Within the past 7-10 days, up to 20 people in the Springfield area have reported scammers claiming to be DEA agents have--or have tried--to steal money. But the DEA believes there are many more victims who don't know yet they've been scammed.
On Saturday, a man claiming to be an agent with the DEA left a voicemail for a co-worker of Ann Griffin's at Springfield Hair and Nail Salon.
"We have a search warrant for your property and an arrest warrant for yourself, so you should give me a call back immediately," the message said.
But Griffin was skeptical about the authenticity of the message.
"I knew it was a scam of some sort," Griffin said.
The targeted victim ordered diet pills online years ago, and had them delivered to the salon.
"They have obtained a list of pills sent to your name, your address, and they're working off that," Glenn Haas of the DEA Springfield office said.
Hass is the resident agent in charge of the Springfield DEA office. He said scammers are impersonating DEA agents, calling people who have purchased diet pills or another pharmaceutical drug online. The scammed tell victims the drugs were purchased illegally, and they will be arrested or searched if they don't wire money for a fine.
"DEA is never going to ask you to wire money for any crime whatsoever," Haas said. "It should set off a bell in your head something isn't quite right. Unfortunately, some people made a purchase over the internet, they get scared, and may make a bad decision and end up losing some money."
Some victims lost up to $1,500.
We called the number, and heard the message "The Magic Jack customer you called is unavailable to take your call."
"Everything we're discovering shows this is a Dominican Republic-based criminal organization, so it's very difficult to track down," Haas said.
Once you send money overseas, it's tough for law enforcement to track it, much less get it back.
If you think you've been a victim, the DEA wants you to report it by calling 877-792-2873. You can also visit their website for more information.
DEA Impersonators Scamming Central Illinois Residents
If you got a call from an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, it would probably get your attention quick--especially if they're threatening to arrest you.
Within the past 7-10 days, up to 20 people in the Springfield area have reported scammers claiming to be DEA agents have--or have tried--to steal money. But the DEA believes there are many more victims who don't know yet they've been scammed.
On Saturday, a man claiming to be an agent with the DEA left a voicemail for a co-worker of Ann Griffin's at Springfield Hair and Nail Salon.
"We have a search warrant for your property and an arrest warrant for yourself, so you should give me a call back immediately," the message said.
But Griffin was skeptical about the authenticity of the message.
"I knew it was a scam of some sort," Griffin said.
The targeted victim ordered diet pills online years ago, and had them delivered to the salon.
"They have obtained a list of pills sent to your name, your address, and they're working off that," Glenn Haas of the DEA Springfield office said.
Hass is the resident agent in charge of the Springfield DEA office. He said scammers are impersonating DEA agents, calling people who have purchased diet pills or another pharmaceutical drug online. The scammed tell victims the drugs were purchased illegally, and they will be arrested or searched if they don't wire money for a fine.
"DEA is never going to ask you to wire money for any crime whatsoever," Haas said. "It should set off a bell in your head something isn't quite right. Unfortunately, some people made a purchase over the internet, they get scared, and may make a bad decision and end up losing some money."
Some victims lost up to $1,500.
We called the number, and heard the message "The Magic Jack customer you called is unavailable to take your call."
"Everything we're discovering shows this is a Dominican Republic-based criminal organization, so it's very difficult to track down," Haas said.
Once you send money overseas, it's tough for law enforcement to track it, much less get it back.
If you think you've been a victim, the DEA wants you to report it by calling 877-792-2873. You can also visit their website for more information.
