Month: July 2021

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: we continue our series on building a digital defense against frauds targeting senior citizens.

Seniors are a prime target because they tend to be financially stable, to be trusting, and to be reluctant to say “no.” We find this particularly true when it comes to real estate fraud schemes. Reverse mortgage frauds, also known as home equity conversion mortgages, are one of the most popular real estate scams we see.

A legitimate home equity conversion mortgage is insured by the Federal Housing Authority or FHA. It allows eligible homeowners to access the equity in their homes by providing funds without the homeowner having to make a monthly payment. When a fraudster finds a senior who is not familiar with the requirements or the process, the results can be devastating. In some cases, the fraudster will pressure the senior into taking inappropriate reverse mortgages. They may also pressure the victim to use some of that money to buy an expensive annuity… an annuity that may not even mature for many years.

Another kind of real estate scam involves using seniors as straw buyers. The criminal says he wants to buy a house, but—for whatever reason—says he can’t get approved for the purchase. The senior agrees to sign the papers for him as a favor, or maybe the fraudster offers him a few thousand dollars bonus. The criminal could be a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, investor, or new friend. In the end, the bad guy often ends up skimming the equity and leaving the victim holding a hefty 30-year mortgage with potential criminal liability. In other related real estate scams, the criminals may offer the victims free homes, investment opportunities, or foreclosure and refinance assistance. The result is often the same—you lose that cherished nest egg and your credit history is in ruins.

Here’s how you can protect yourself and your family members:

• Don’t respond to unsolicited ads.
• Be suspicious of anyone saying you can own a home with no down payment—or flip a house by signing for a mortgage you don’t want.
• Don’t sign anything that you do not fully understand.
• Don’t accept payment for helping someone else to buy a house that you do not intend to live in.
• If you want to pursue a reverse mortgage lender, seek out one who is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

If you have been victimized by an online scam, report your suspicious contacts to the FBI. You can file an online report at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible for setting a fire on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation on June 21, 2021. Warm Springs emergency crews responded to the fire at 8:41 p.m.

The fire burned approximately 42 acres of brush and grass on the Fish Hatchery Grade between mile posts 13 and 14 on Highway 3. Investigators believe the fire was human caused. As part of this publicity effort, the FBI has created a “Seeking Information” poster for the “Most Wanted” section of the FBI’s website. That poster can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/human-caused-brush-fire/download.pdf.

Facebook and Instagram ads will also be running in the Jefferson and Wasco County areas of Oregon. The FBI and the Warm Springs Police Department (WSPD) are asking that anyone with information about this fire to contact law enforcement. The FBI can be reached in Bend at (541) 389-1202 or in Portland at (503) 224-4181. WSPD can be reached at (541) 553-2202. Information may also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

The FBI in Oregon is now accepting applications from business, religious, and community members for its Citizens Academy Program.

The Citizens Academy allows leaders to come together to explore the work of the FBI, both in Oregon and around the world. Over the course of seven weeks, participants will have a chance to engage with FBI leadership, case agents and professional staff as they learn about what it is really like to live the Bureau’s mission to “protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.”

Applicants may nominate themselves for a participant slot at this link. Nominations are due by Friday, July 16, 2021. Acceptance into the program is competitive. Selections will be made by the field office. “The Citizens Academy program gives the people we serve a rare chance to see the FBI in action. This is a great opportunity not only for leaders in our community to learn, ask questions, and really engage with our people, but it is also an opportunity for us to learn more from those we serve,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon Kieran L. Ramsey.

Those who apply will be notified of their status no later than August 6, 2021. Once selected, applicants must complete a background check and return the required paperwork by Friday, August 13, 2021. The intention is to hold the class in-person (pending any health restrictions) for people in the Portland area. Those who live in other parts of the state may participate virtually through an online platform.

Class Information

Most of the academy sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• September 15: Citizens Academy class
• September 22: Citizens Academy class
• September 29: Citizens Academy class
• October 8 (Friday): Training Range Day
• October 13: Citizens Academy class
• October 20: Citizens Academy class
• October 27: Citizens Academy class

For further information, contact Community Outreach Specialist Antonia Kreamier at ajfabiankreamier@fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

The FBI, Torrance County Sheriff’s Department, and Moriarty Police Department are looking for a man who robbed a bank while wearing a Gucci face mask.

The robbery occurred at Wells Fargo, 901 U.S. Route 66, in Moriarty, at approximately 2:53 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, 2021.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his mid-30’s, approximately 5’6′ to 5’9′ tall, and weighing about 165 pounds.

He wore a long-sleeve blue shirt with a red La Mesa RV logo on the front, a dark Gucci face mask with two red vertical stripes, a baseball cap with a rainbow design on the front, and dark green pants.

He had tattoos on his neck and right forearm.

The suspect entered the bank and presented a demand note to a teller.

The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect, who left the bank.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact the FBI at (505) 889-1300, Moriarty Police Department (505-832-6060), or the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office (505-544-4908).

Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.

Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

Bank robbery carries a possible prison term of up to 20 years. The use of a gun, other dangerous weapon, toy gun, or hoax bomb device during the commission of a bank robbery can be punishable by a prison term of up to 25 years.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

A man wearing an NRA baseball cap and another who used a bandana with the jaws of a skull painted on it to cover his face robbed a northeast Albuquerque bank on Thursday afternoon, July 15, 2021.

The robbery occurred at BBVA Bank, 3500 Candelaria Road NE., at approximately 5 p.m.

Both suspects were described as Hispanic males in their late 20s to mid-30s, approximately 5’6” to 5’8” tall.

One suspect wore a dark cap with “NRA” on the front, a black scarf covering the lower half of his face, sunglasses, a light-blue long-sleeve shirt, a brown T-shirt, red gloves, blue jeans, and dark shoes.

The other suspect wore a dark denim jacket, sunglasses, a dark bandana with the jaws of a skull painted on it that covered the lower part of his face, dark gloves, blue jeans, and black shoes.

The suspects entered the bank and threatened to harm a teller unless the teller gave them money.

The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspects, who left the bank.

The FBI and Albuquerque Police Department are investigating.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact the FBI at (505) 889-1300, or Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (505) 843-STOP.

Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.

Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

Bank robbery carries a possible prison term of up to 20 years. The use of a gun, other dangerous weapon, toy gun, or hoax bomb device during the commission of a bank robbery can be punishable by a prison term of up to 25 years.