OK, this really sounds like common sense, but as my Aunt Petunia used to say, “Common Sense Ain’t So Common!”
If someone calls you on the phone and says they’re with the FDA and that you need to send money to the Dominican Republic, the answer should be something along the lines of “hell” and “no”.
Apparently there are some ballsy criminals that are posing as FDA special agents as part of an “international extortion scam.”
What happens is “…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.”
Unreal.
And the really sad thing is that this scam works!
These poozers are also pretending to be with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs Service, and some kind of U.S. or Dominican prosecutors and judges.
If you get a call like this…. first of all, take a moment and reflect on why you are buying meds off the internet. And quit that foolishness.
Second, tell the caller you need a minute to get the money together and you need their number to call them back in 10 minutes. Then take that number and call the local police department (or FBI or even the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations at (800) 521-5783) to report the crime.
