Category: FBI

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

OAKLAND—The FBI San Francisco Division and the Oakland Police Department are asking for the public’s help in solving the murder four years ago of Patrick Scott, Jr. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for Patrick Scott, Jr.’s death, and Oakland Crime Stoppers has offered an additional reward of up to $10,000 for information.

On the morning of February 3, 2018, Patrick Scott, Jr., 27 years old, was waiting at the bus stop at 62nd Street and Market Street in Oakland, California, to go to his grandmother’s house. An unknown person approached him and fired multiple shots, fatally striking him.

“We are asking the community to please come forward if you have any information on the senseless murder of Patrick Scott, Jr.,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. “We believe someone has knowledge that can help law enforcement solve this crime. Please help us find justice for Patrick and his family.”

“I continue to support the pursuit of justice for the homicide of Patrick Scott, Jr.,” said Oakland Police Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong. “OPD continues to be committed to identifying the individual(s) responsible for the homicide of Scott, Jr. and all families of unsolved homicide victims in Oakland. I join the Scott family in asking the public, if you have information that can help this investigation, please share it with law enforcement.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Oakland Police Department Homicide Section at 510-238-3821 or the FBI San Francisco Division at 415-553-7400 or online at tips.fbi.gov. All tips may remain anonymous.

FBI Seeking Information Poster: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/patrick-scott-jr

*For media inquiries, please contact the Oakland Police Department at (510) 238-7230 or OPDMedia@oaklandnet.com or the FBI San Francisco Media Office at media.sf@fbi.gov*

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

According to the latest data, romance scams are on the rise across the Bay Area, and the FBI San Francisco field office is warning the public about new trends in romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day. In 2021, complaints filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) showed that victims within the FBI San Francisco division’s territory lost more than $64 million to romance scams compared to just over $35 million in 2020. IC3 received 742 complaints within the Northern District of California last year compared to 720 in 2020 and 526 in 2019.

Romance scam victims were reported in every county within the FBI San Francisco division’s territory last year. The county with the highest victim reporting and dollar amount loss was Santa Clara County, followed by San Francisco County and Alameda County. While these schemes affect victims from all demographics, older adults are the most targeted group. Last year, the age group with the highest victim reports within our region was 60 years and older, with a victim count of 193 and a dollar amount loss of over $18 million.

New Trend in Romance Scams: The FBI San Francisco has seen a rising trend in which romance scammers are persuading individuals to send money to invest or trade cryptocurrency. After gaining the confidence and trust of the victim, the scammer then directs the victim to a fraudulent website or application for an investment opportunity. After the victim has invested an initial amount on the platform and sees an alleged profit, the scammers allow the victim to withdraw a small amount of money. Eventually, the scammer instructs the victim to invest a more considerable amount. When the victim is ready to withdraw funds again, the scammers create reasons why this cannot happen. The victim is informed additional taxes or fees need to be paid, or the minimum account balance has not been met to allow a withdrawal. Sometimes, a “customer service group” gets involved, which is also part of the scam. Ultimately, victims cannot withdraw any money, and the scammers most often stop communicating with the victim after they cease to send additional funds.

Tips to Protect Yourself:

• Never send money, trade, or invest per the advice of someone you have solely met online.
• Do not disclose your current financial status to unknown and untrusted individuals.
• Do not provide your banking information, Social Security Number, copies of your identification or passport, or any other sensitive information to anyone online or to a site you do not know is legitimate.
• If an online investment or trading site is promoting unbelievable profits, it is most likely that—unbelievable.
• Be cautious of individuals who claim to have exclusive investment opportunities and urge you to act fast.

If you believe you are a victim of a romance scam, the FBI recommends reporting the activity to the IC3 at ic3.gov and immediately contact your financial institution.

*For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact the FBI San Francisco Media Office at media.sf@fbi.gov*

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

The San Diego FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the San Diego Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the individual believed to be responsible for a bank robbery in the Kearny Mesa area.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 3:00 p.m., an unknown male entered the Chase Bank located at 5303 Ruffin Road, San Diego, California, and made a verbal demand to the victim teller. The robber received a sum of cash and fled the bank on foot.

Description of Robber:

• Sex: Male
• Race: Black, light complexion
• Hair: Short, dark hair or bald
• Eyes: Brown
• Height: Approximately 5’6” to 5’7”
• Build: Thin
• Clothing: Green camouflage jacket, pants, and hat, and wearing a face covering.

If you have information regarding this robber, please contact:

• San Diego FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI; or tips.fbi.gov
• San Diego Crime Stoppers: (888) 580-8477; or sdcrimestoppers.org

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

The San Diego FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the San Diego Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the individual believed to be responsible for the robbery of a credit union in the Mission Valley area.

On Friday, January 14, 2022, at approximately 10:24 a.m., an unknown male entered the San Diego County Credit Union, located at 2245 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, California, and presented a note to the victim teller demanding money. The robber received a sum of cash and fled on foot.

Description of Robber:

• Sex: Male
• Race: White or Hispanic
• Hair: Brown
• Age: Late 20s to early 30s
• Height: Approximately 5’11”
• Build: Slender
• Clothing: Black jacket, black hat, black neck gaiter over face, and wearing a black Nike backpack with a white swoosh.

If you have information regarding this robber, please contact:

• San Diego FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI; or tips.fbi.gov
• San Diego Crime Stoppers: (888) 580-8477; or sdcrimestoppers.org

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

TUCSON, AZ—FBI Phoenix advises the public to be vigilant of their surroundings and use caution when traveling during spring break. If traveling out of the country, the FBI warns of increased dangers of international travel, including crime, theft, fraud, and kidnapping.

As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the travel advisories for your intended destination. The travel advisory system was designed to give U.S. citizens timely, clear, and reliable information regarding security threats abroad.

The following tips may help you feel more secure while traveling internationally:

• Establish points of contact for your family to contact in the event of an emergency.
• Avoid traveling alone, especially after dark. Be conscious of your surroundings and avoid areas you believe may put your personal safety at risk.
• Use only authorized taxis/shuttles. Passengers have been robbed or kidnapped when using taxis.
• Avoid actions that are illegal, improper, or indiscreet. Avoid offers of sexual companionship; they may lead to a room raid, photography, and blackmail.
• Evade criminals by being aware of your surroundings and alert to the possibility of surveillance. Take mental notes of anyone following you and promptly report it to the appropriate security officials.
• Beware of new acquaintances who probe for information about you or who attempt to get you involved in what could become a compromising situation.

Before finalizing plans, the FBI suggests you review the health and security alert issued by the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico last week: https://mx.usembassy.gov/health-and-security-alert-spring-break-2022/

To view travel advisories for multiple countries, visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

For the current travel advisory for Mexico, visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

For more information on virtual kidnapping for ransom scams and how you can protect yourself, visit: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/phoenix/news/press-releases/fbi-warns-public-of-virtual-kidnapping-extortion-calls