Category: FBI

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI and Albuquerque Police Department are looking for an unidentified woman who walked into an Albuquerque Uptown bank and demanded money Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

A teller at New Mexico Bank & Trust, 3002 Louisiana Boulevard NE, handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the woman, who left on foot heading east on Candelaria Road NE.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:07 p.m. when the woman handed the teller a note.

No weapon was displayed.

The woman is described as white and in her mid-20s, approximately 5’7” to 5’8” tall, and weighing about 125 to 130 pounds.

She wore a blonde wig, heavy green eye shadow, a long black trench coat, and black pants.

Anyone with information 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.

The Albuquerque Police Department is assisting with this investigation.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the 2019 homicides of a father and son on Taos Pueblo.

The bodies of Antonio “Tony” Romero, 82, and Buck Romero, 51, both members of Taos Pueblo, were found in Buck Romero’s residence on June 1, 2019.

The previous FBI reward was $5,000.

“Working with the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety, our agents have received numerous tips and interviewed scores of people,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division said. “We know someone has the missing piece that will allow us to solve this puzzle and bring justice to the Romero family. We hope that person will come forward soon.”

The cause of death is not being released.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or use the online form at tips.fbi.gov.

An updated FBI poster can be found at: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/antonio-and-buck-romero.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

While the FBI’s most visible efforts to promote diversity within the ranks have focused on recruitment to build up the cadre of special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, the Bureau’s executive corridor has undergone a similarly resolute transition to better represent the communities the FBI serves.

“We keep saying that diversity makes us better and stronger,” Director Christopher Wray said in a speech in 2019. “And we keep saying it because it’s true. Just as the entire FBI has to be representative of the diverse people we serve, our leadership ranks have to be representative of the rest of the organization.”

To that end, the Director has made signature appointments in recent months of two African Americans and two women—one of them the highest-ever ranking Asian American—to the FBI’s top executive positions, a reflection of his commitment to making the 112-year-old organization more representative and inclusive. The FBI’s current slate of executive assistant directors represents the Bureau’s most diverse leadership team ever. Together, they oversee the full sweep of the FBI’s intelligence, criminal, and cyber functions, as well as human resources and technology.

These appointments reflect the Bureau’s long-term commitment to recruit, train, and advance a talented and diverse workforce. In response to questions from members of Congress recently, Director Wray said there’s still much to be done. “I do believe the FBI needs to be more diverse and more inclusive than it is,” he said on March 2, “and that we need to work a lot harder at that, and we are trying to work a lot harder on that.”

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

It took nearly seven years for the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to log its first million complaints. It took only 14 months to add the most recent million.

The IC3 logged five million complaints on March 12, 2020, a few weeks before it marked its 20th anniversary. After a period of record reporting, the center received its 6 millionth complaint on May 15, 2021.

“On one hand, the number holds some positive news,” said IC3 Chief Donna Gregory. “People know how to find us and how to report an incident.” Gregory said more reporting makes the FBI more effective in investigating cyber-enabled crime. “But on the other hand,” she added, “these numbers indicate more people are being affected by online crimes and scams.”

The IC3 collects and reports out its data in an annual report and educates the public by sending out notices about new scams or upticks in certain type of crimes. Its other key role is to support law enforcement. Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies can access the IC3’s data through a secure database, and, with a prompt report, FBI-led teams can support efforts to freeze lost funds.

IC3 saw complaints increase nearly 70% between 2019 and 2020. The top three crimes reported by victims in 2020 were phishing scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and extortion. Victims lost the most money to business email compromise scams, romance and confidence schemes, and investment fraud.

Notably, 2020 saw the emergence of scams exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in crimes reported in 2020 may have also been due in part to the pandemic driving more commerce and activities online. The latest numbers indicate 2021 may be another record year.

To report a crime or see the IC3’s annual reports and warnings about current crimes, scams, and frauds, visit ic3.gov.

For more information on common online crimes and prevention tips, visit the FBI’s Common Scams and Crimes page.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

Police Week is observed every May; in 1961, President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day, and Police Week is the week on which it falls. The week has traditionally been an opportunity for law enforcement officers to gather for fellowship events, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put many in-person events on hold until October.

“Like you, I’m disappointed that we can’t be together in person this week,” Wray said. “But I’m optimistic that by this fall, we’ll be able to have the in-person Police Week events we all look forward to.”

By several measures, last year was one of the deadliest for law enforcement. According to statistics reported to the FBI, 93 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2020. Of these, 46 died as a result of criminal acts; 47 died in accidents.