Source: United States Navy
Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka hosted two virtual Industry Days on Feb. 9 and 10 for an audience of interested vendors, prior to posting an official request for proposals (RFP) later this month, for the Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract (WEXMAC).
Source: United States Department of Justice News
A doctor, formerly of Great Falls, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to willful failure to pay employment taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
SEATTLE, WA—FBI Seattle has seen a recent increase in phone calls that “spoof,” or fake, FBI Seattle Headquarters’ main phone number, 206-622-0460, so the call appears to originate from the FBI on the recipient’s caller ID. Fraudulent callers posing as an FBI agent inform victims that they are under investigation. The scammers provide a fake name and nonexistent case number to trick the victim into believing they are an FBI agent. The fraudsters then request personally identifiable information, such as a name, social security number, and date of birth.
The FBI defines this type of scam as government impersonation fraud, in which criminals impersonate government officials. The criminals often threaten to extort victims with physical or financial harm to obtain personally identifiable information. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and organized in their approach, are technologically savvy, and often target young persons and the elderly.
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 12,334 people reported being victims of government impersonation scams in 2020, with losses totaling more than $106 million. In Washington state in 2020, 358 victims reported $2 million in losses. As of January 21, 2021, 24 victims had already reported $465,000 in losses in Washington state.
To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, be wary of answering phone calls from unrecognized numbers. Do not send money to anybody that you do not personally know and trust. Never give out your personal information, including banking information, Social Security number, or other personally identifiable information, over the phone or to individuals you do not know.
Anyone who feels they were the victim of this or any other online scam should report the incident immediately using the IC3 website at www.ic3.gov. More information about government impersonation schemes and other online fraud schemes can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Richard Charles Sanchez, 31, was detained on February 10, 2021 without incident in Patzcuaro, Michoacán, by Mexican authorities, announced Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Donald M. Voiret of the Seattle Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Sanchez was wanted for his alleged involvement in a February 2010 incident where multiple shots were fired into a random car killing Camille Love and seriously wounding her brother. Sanchez is also wanted for his alleged role in a March 2010 incident where Saul Lucas-Alfonso was shot and killed after confronting persons, including Sanchez, who were ransacking a vehicle for valuables. These cases were investigated by the Tacoma Police Department.
Co-defendant Mendez was arrested in September 2020, and co-defendant Mederos, a Ten Most Wanted Fugitive, was arrested in June 2020.
Sanchez was charged with murder in the second degree in the Superior Court of Washington for Pierce County, Washington, and a local arrest warrant was issued for him in March 2010. Sanchez was charged with murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, and conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree in the Superior Court of Washington for Pierce County, Washington, and a local arrest warrant was issued for him in December 2010. On May 4, 2017, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Sanchez in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington, Tacoma, Washington, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
“Even though these crimes occurred a decade ago and the fugitives fled to other countries, the FBI never quit pursuing justice for Mr. Lucas-Alfonso and Ms. Love and their families. With Mr. Sanchez’s capture, the FBI and our international partners have now apprehended the last remaining defendant wanted in these cases,” said SAC Voiret.
The FBI Seattle Field Office credits the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Mexico City, Mexico, Dirección de Reacción Operaciones Estrategicas del Estado de Michoacán, Policía de Investigación del Delito de la Fiscalía General del Estado de Michoacán, the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) del Michoacán, and the Western District of Washington’s U.S. Attorney’s Office in coordinating Sanchez’s deportation to the United States to face charges in Pierce County.
The public is reminded that indictments contain only allegations of criminal misconduct and that defendants are presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
HOUSTON, TX—There’s a scam far too common that tugs at the victim’s ‘heartstrings’ and breaks their bank account in the process. It’s called a ‘romance’ scam or confidence scam. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the FBI has some tips to avoid falling victim to this type of scheme.
The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do. They spend hours honing their skills and sometimes keep journals on their victims to better understand how to manipulate and exploit them.
In a romance or confidence scam, an individual believes they are in a relationship (family, friendly, or romantic) and are tricked into sending money, personal and financial information, items of value, or launder money.
In 2020, more than 23,000 victims across the United States reported a loss of more than $600 million to this type of scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
To stay safe online, be careful what you post because scammers can use that information against you. Always use reputable websites, but assume that con artists are trolling even the most reputable dating and social media sites.
If you develop a romantic relationship with someone you meet online, consider the following:
If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately. If you are the victim of a romance scam, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Resources: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2019_IC3Report.pdf www.fbi.gov/romancscams