Category: FBI

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

Immediately after the attacks, the FBI’s top job was to identify the attackers and prevent another incident. Experts in terrorism, evidence collection, and other specialties worked feverishly to determine what had happened and who was responsible. The FBI also coordinated with its partners in law enforcement and the intelligence community domestically and abroad as it launched its most ambitious investigation ever.

Within minutes, officials at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., activated the Strategic Information and Operations Center. By the end of the day, the FBI had established command posts for each of the three crash sites.

Thousands of agents interviewed witnesses and sources. They tracked down clues and tips worldwide to determine what had happened, who did it, and how future acts could be prevented. The FBI started identifying the 19 terrorists within hours.

Then-FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III broke with routine and based the massive investigation out of FBI Headquarters instead of a field office. The PENTTBOM Team—short for Pennsylvania, Pentagon, and Twin Towers Bombing—coordinated the investigation out of a basement office, where dozens of agents would build a case against those responsible. 

The case, which remains open, revealed extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness among the spectrum of responders. And it forever changed the way the FBI works with law enforcement and intelligence community partners to keep Americans safe in the U.S. and abroad.

“Because of that terrible day, starting in 2001 under the leadership of Director Mueller, the FBI transformed itself in ways that have made us stronger and better—and our country safer,” Director Christopher Wray said in 2019 during a visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

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

The FBI’s Washington Field Office (WFO) has released a new video of suspects in an assault on a member of the media during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and is seeking the public’s help to identify them.

The video released today depicts two individuals suspected of assaulting a female member of the media inside the U.S. Capitol at approximately 2:45 p.m. on January 6. The two individuals are photograph numbers #174 and #175 on the FBI’s Capitol Violence Seeking Information Gallery.

It has been more than seven months since violent criminals breached the United States Capitol and committed a litany of federal criminal acts. With the assistance of hundreds of thousands of tips from the American people, the FBI has arrested more than 600 individuals who took part in the Capitol riots. The FBI previously released videos of individuals committing violent acts against law enforcement officers, and the public has helped us identify many of those individuals. Now, we are asking for help in identifying those who assaulted members of the media.

“The FBI is sworn to uphold the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, including the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, and the right to peaceful assembly—we will investigate those who attempt use violence to obstruct these freedoms,” said Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “The FBI is grateful for the tips we have received from the public over the past seven months about violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, and we continue to request the public’s help to identify individuals suspected of assaulting members of the media that day.”

To view photos and videos of additional individuals the FBI is seeking to identify, visit fbi.gov/capitolviolence. If you have any information on the individuals depicted in the videos or the photo gallery, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Please reference the photo number when calling or submitting information online.

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

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense against mystery gift scams.

We are getting more and more reports of this kind of scam from Oregonians through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov). How does it work? You either find a website or get an online offer that promises a giant “mystery box” full of deals. Sometimes, the offer will claim that the items are returned or unclaimed packages from one of the big online retailers. This deal may cost you $20 or $30 bucks… or, more likely, one hundred or more dollars. In return, you believe your mystery box will bring you a selection of high value items.

A TV maybe? Laptop? Some expensive clothes? If you have hit upon a scammer, your giant box of deals may end actually up being a small box that holds some bubble wrap and a cheap pair of headphones or a selfie stick – if it shows up at all. Forget the “surprise” gift that the fraudster also promised you. To be fair, there are legitimate vendors out there selling subscription boxes with mystery items… and some of the giant online retailers are also providing the same let-us-surprise-you-with-something-new-and-cool shopping options.

But, if you are going to put your money on the line for such a thing, at least take some steps to protect yourself.

• Don’t respond to offers from unsolicited texts, e-mails, or social media posts, and don’t click on any links.
• Check to make sure that the site is legitimate. Do an online search for the name of the company and the words “scam” and “fraud.”
• Look for reviews. If the reviews all use the same wording, appear to have been posted at the same time, or use bad grammar and punctuation, they could be fake. Other warning signs: the reviewer has a very common name such as John Smith and/or doesn’t use a profile picture in the review.

If you do buy a mystery box, remember you are giving that vendor your personal info and credit card number. So, beyond risking your cash on what may be a bad deal, you are also possibly setting yourself up for identity theft.

If you believe you are the victim of an online scam, report it to FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your local FBI office.

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

Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico reported 55 hate crime incidents in 2020, an increase from 50 reported the year before, adding urgency to an FBI campaign to get victims to come forward.

The data was included in the Hate Crime Statistics, 2020, a report released by the FBI on Monday, August 30, 2021.

“The FBI wants everyone in New Mexico and across the nation to know that we are going after hate crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda said. “There is no place in our communities for hate. Anyone who was a victim or a witness to a hate-related incident is encouraged to report it to law enforcement and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

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

Most of the reports in New Mexico involved a bias against race, ethnicity, or ancestry, with 35 incidents.

The report can be found at: https://crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov/pages/explorer/crime/hate-crime

The Albuquerque FBI Division is in the midst of a campaign to build public awareness of hate crimes and encourage reporting to law enforcement.

Local media have interviewed SAC Bujanda on the topic, special agents and staff have participated in community outreach efforts, and the division regularly posts hate crime awareness materials on social media.

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes.

Hate crimes, defined as a traditional offense with an added element of bias, are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities.

The FBI works closely with state, local, and tribal authorities on hate crime investigations, even when federal charges are not brought.

Anyone who is a victim or a victim of any hate-related incident should immediately report it to law enforcement.

After a report is submitted, the FBI will work with its law enforcement partners and use its resources and expertise to determine if an incident meets the federal criminal standard.

The FBI works to protect all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status.

The FBI’s national news release on the 2020 hate crime report can be found at: https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-2020-hate-crime-statistics

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

NEW ORLEANS, LA—As citizens impacted by Hurricane Ida begin to assess damage to their homes and or businesses, the FBI New Orleans Division warns the public about the potential for hurricane-related fraud. Unfortunately, hurricane or natural disaster damage often provides opportunities for criminals to scam storm victims and those who are assisting victims with recovery.

Scammers may go door to door to target residents in areas affected by hurricanes. It’s important for the public to know that government workers are required to carry official identification and show it if requested. Closely scrutinize any ID you see and call the agency directly to confirm a worker’s identity if you are unsure. Scammers may also call, text, mail, or email with promises to quickly provide aid. Do not give out personal information without confirming the legitimacy of the person contacting you and the agency. Specifically, contractor fraud scams are prevalent in the aftermath of a natural disaster. If your home or business was damaged, you will need a reputable contractor—remember not everyone who claims to be able to repair your property is legitimate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says officials with government disaster assistance agencies do not call or text asking for financial information, and there is no fee required to apply for assistance.

If your property was damaged by Hurricane Ida and you have homeowner’s insurance, contact your insurance company. Also, contact FEMA or follow guidance from your local government. Consumers should also be aware of scammers posing as representatives of charities seeking donations for disaster relief. Only donate to charities you know and trust, and never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails. Make your donations using a check or credit card. If a charity or organization asks you to donate through cash, gift card, virtual currency, or wire transfer, it’s probably a scam.

If you believe you have been a victim of hurricane-related fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at 1-866-720-5721 or email it to disaster@leo.gov. You can also report suspicious email solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

The NCDF was established in 2005 by the Department of Justice in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.