Category: Security News

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Victor Barnett Founder of Milwaukee’s Running Rebels Receives FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

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

MILWAUKEE, WI—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert E. Hughes of the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce that Victor Barnett, the founder of Milwaukee’s Running Rebels Community Organization (RRCO), has received the nationally recognized FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2020.

It was 41 years ago when Victor Barnett saw that gangs were beginning to form in Milwaukee around 1980. Mr. Barnett wanted to provide something to deter youth and focus them in a more positive direction. He believed that the right relationships and activities would keep them from gangs, violence, substance abuse, and other negative behaviors. As a young man himself, at the time—19 years old, Mr. Barnett founded the Running Rebels Community Organization.

The program was initially started as organized basketball teams that incorporated not only the fundamentals of the game, but also the elements that translate into strengthening talent and character both on and off the court. Education has also played an important part in RRCO programming. Each player had to bring their report card so Mr. Barnett could personally see the areas in which they needed additional help. From those early years to present day, hundreds of young men have come to know Mr. Barnett as a mentor, a brother, and a friend.

Today, the Running Rebels Community Organization is co-managed by Victor and his wife Dawn Barnett and serves 2,500 youth annually.

The Director’s Community Leadership Award was established in 1990 by the FBI to publicly recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of civil rights, terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education. SAC Hughes is proud to present the DCLA award on behalf of FBI Director Christopher Wray, to the Running Rebels Community Organization for their significant impact on the young lives of thousands of teens in Milwaukee for more than four decades.

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Oregon FBI Tech Tuesday: Building a Digital Defense Against Vacation Scams

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

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against travel scams.

It seems as though everyone is desperate to escape this summer… to go anywhere other than your basement office or the neighborhood park. And, finally, with lockdowns lifting, we are getting the chance to travel. Beware though—scammers are not going to let such a good opportunity go to waste. Your desire to get out drives their desire to cash out at your expense.

Here are some tips from our friends at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

  • Watch out for offers of a “free” vacation that require you to pay fees or taxes to get it.
  • Pay attention to the details. You get offered a stay at a “five-star” resort or a cruise on a “luxury” ship… but the contact won’t give you more specific details? It’s a red flag if you can’t get the name and address of the hotel or details about the cruise company.
  • Just say no if the travel offer requires you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Scammers know that once you pay in one of these ways, it is almost impossible for you to get your money back. Always pay by credit card.
  • Don’t allow someone to pressure you into making a quick decision about a “great deal.” Scammers use social engineering techniques— playing on your fear of missing out—to rush you to act without thinking.
  • Watch for premium vacation properties advertised for super cheap prices. Below-market rent can be a sign of a scam. Do some extra research to confirm the deal is legit before jumping in.
  • Get a copy of the cancellation and refund policies before you pay. If you can’t get those details, walk away.
  • Do your own research. Look up travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
  • Check the address of the property to make sure it really exists. If the property is located in a resort, call the front desk to confirm their location and other details on the contract.

If you are the victim of any online fraud, you should also report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.

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Jeffrey R. Downey Named as Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Field Office

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

Director  Christopher Wray has named Jeffery R. Downey as special agent in charge of the El Paso Field Office in Texas. Most recently, Mr. Downey served as a section chief for the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG). 
 
Mr. Downey began his FBI career as a special agent in 2003 and was first assigned to the Buffalo Field Office in New York. He moved to the Augusta Resident Agency of the Atlanta Field Office in 2006. Mr. Downey worked violent crime, gang, criminal enterprise, and public corruption investigations in both field offices. 
 
In 2007, he worked an 18-month assignment as a supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he was assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Fusion Center Task Force. 
 
In 2009, Mr. Downey moved to the Detroit Field Office for the first of several assignments there. He was promoted to supervisory special agent and put in charge of the Organized Crime Squad in the Detroit Field Office. He was appointed to supervise Detroit’s Public Corruption and Civil Rights Squad in 2010. In 2013, Mr. Downey was appointed as the senior supervisory resident agent in charge of the Oakland County Resident Agency, responsible for all investigative matters. 
 
Mr. Downey was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Detroit office in 2016. He oversaw the criminal, crisis management, and mission services branches, which included specialty teams such as SWAT, the special agent bomb technicians, the crisis negotiators, and the Evidence Response Team. 
 
In 2020, Mr. Downey returned to FBI Headquarters as section chief of CIRG’s Crisis Management and Intelligence Coordination Section. 
 
Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Downey served as a special agent with the United States Secret Service. He earned a bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University.  
 

El Director del FBI Christopher Wray nombró a Jeffrey R. Downey como el Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina Regional del FBI en El Paso, Texas. El Sr. Downey ejerció recientemente como el Jefe de la Sección del Grupo de Intervención para Incidentes Críticos (CIRG).

El Sr. Downey comenzó su carrera con el FBI en el 2003 y fue asignado a la Oficina Regional del FBI en Buffalo, Nueva York. En el 2006 se mudó a Augusta, Georgia, a la Suboficina de la Oficina Regional del FBI en Atlanta, Georgia. Investigó casos de crímenes violentos, de pandillas, de organizaciones criminales, y de corrupción pública en ambas Oficinas Regionales.

En el 2007, y por un período de 18 meses, trabajó como supervisor en la División de Investigaciones Penales de la sede del FBI en Washington D.C., y fue asignado al Equipo de Trabajo del Centro Nacional de Información Contra las Drogas y el Crimen Organizado.

En el 2009, el Sr. Downey fue trasladado a la Oficina Regional del FBI en Detroit, Michigan, y comenzó varias asignaciones en esa oficina. Fue promovido a supervisor de la Escuadra Contra el Crimen Organizado, y en el 2010 fue nombrado como supervisor de la Escuadra de Corrupción Pública y Derechos Civiles. En el 2013, el Sr. Downey fue nombrado como el supervisor a cargo de la Suboficina de FBI en el Condado de Oakland, y fue responsable de todos los asuntos investigativos.

En el 2016, el Sr. Downey fue promovido a Agente Especial Adjunto a Cargo de la Oficina Regional en Detroit. Supervisó las secciones criminales, manejo de crisis, y servicios móviles que incluían grupos especiales como el SWAT, los Técnicos en Bombas, Negociadores de Crisis y el Equipo de Recuperación de Evidencia.

En el 2020, el Sr. Downey regresó a la sede del FBI como el Jefe de la Sección del CIRG, Sección de Manejo de Crisis y Coordinación de Inteligencia.

Antes de unirse al FBI, el Sr. Downey sirvió como Agente Especial con el Servicio Secreto de EE.UU. Obtuvo una licenciatura de la Universidad John Carroll.

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FBI Warns of Increased Ponzi Scheme Incidence in Puerto Rico

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

Press release available in both English and Spanish.

SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Rafael A. Riviere Vázquez of the San Juan Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced an increase in the number of Ponzi schemes reported in Puerto Rico.

“We have seen an increase in these types of crimes recently and we worry that the victims are mainly our more vulnerable, older citizens,” said Riviere. “The FBI San Juan Field Office has a specialized team that investigates these complaints, and we are launching an awareness campaign to alert the public of what these schemes are and what to do to avoid becoming a victim,” he added.

The following information can be found in the flyer in Spanish attached to this release:

What is a Ponzi Scheme?

“Ponzi” schemes promise high financial returns or dividends not available through traditional investments. Instead of investing the funds of victims, however, the con artist pays “dividends” to initial investors using the funds of subsequent investors. The scheme generally falls apart when the operator flees with all the proceeds or when enough new investors cannot be found to allow the continued payment of “dividends.”

This type of fraud is named after its creator—Charles Ponzi of Boston, Massachusetts. In the early 1900s, Ponzi launched a scheme that guaranteed investors a 50 percent return on their investment in postal coupons. Although he was able to pay his initial backers, the scheme dissolved when he was unable to pay later investors.

Tips for Avoiding Ponzi Schemes:

  • Be careful of any investment opportunity that makes exaggerated earnings claims.
  • Exercise due diligence in selecting investments and the people with whom you invest—in other words, do your homework before investing your money.
  • Consult an unbiased third party—like an unconnected broker or licensed financial advisor—before investing.
  • Make sure the company is registered in the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF, for its acronym in Spanish) by calling 787-723-8445 or toll free 1-800-981-7711.

Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s Internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.Gov Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Still have questions? We have answers! email us at San_Juan_Media_Team@fbi.gov

FBI Advierte Sobre Alza En Incidencia De Estafas Ponzi En Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, PR—El Agente especial a Cargo de la Oficina de San Juan del Negociado Federal de Investigación (FBI), Rafael A. Riviere Vázquez, ha anunciado un alza en el número de estafas Ponzi reportadas en Puerto Rico.

“Hemos visto un alza reciente en este tipo de crímenes y nos preocupa que las víctimas son mayormente adultos mayores, que son nuestros ciudadanos más vulnerables.” indicó Riviere. “El FBI San Juan cuenta con un equipo especializado que investiga estas querellas, y estamos lanzando una campaña de concienciación para alertar al público de lo que es esta estafa y qué hacer para evitar convertirse en una víctima.” añadió.

La siguiente información también se encuentra en el boletín informativo que se acompaña a este comunicado:

¿Qué es una estafa Ponzi?

Las estafas “Ponzi” prometen inversiones con alto rendimiento y dividendos que no están disponibles a través de modelos de inversión tradicionales. Sin embargo, en lugar de invertir el dinero de las víctimas, estos estafadores pagan “dividendos” a los inversionistas iniciales con el dinero de inversionistas subsiguientes. Por lo general, el esquema se desploma cuando el estafador huye con todo el dinero o cuando no consigue suficientes inversionistas nuevos para seguir pagando los “dividendos”.

Este tipo de fraude recibe su nombre por el creador de este esquema —Charles Ponzi de Boston, Massachusetts. A inicios de los 1900s, Ponzi se inventó un esquema que garantizaba a sus inversionistas un 50% de ganancia sobre su inversión en forma de cupones postales. Aunque pudo pagar a sus primeros inversionistas, el esquema se disolvió cuando no pudo pagar a los inversionistas subsiguientes.

¿Cómo evitar ser víctima de una estafa Ponzi?

  • Cuidado con oportunidades de inversión que prometan ganancias exageradas.
  • Haga las debidas diligencias a la hora de decidir en qué invertir y a través de quién lo hace. Es decir, dese a la tarea de informarse bien antes de invertir su dinero.
  • Consulte a un tercero imparcial—como un corredor de inversiones o consejero financiero no relacionado a la inversión—antes de invertir.
  • Asegúrese de que la compañía con la que piensa invertir está registrada en la Oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras (OCIF) llamando al 787-723-8445 o libre de cargos al 1-800-981-7711.

Las confidencias e información ayudan al FBI y a sus colegas federales, estatales y locales en el desempeño de sus funciones. Por ello, se le solicita al público que contacte a la Oficina de San Juan del FBI al 787-987-6500, o reporte confidencias a través de la línea de pistas (tips) del FBI, disponible en la página de Internet Tips.FBI.Gov.

¿Aún tiene preguntas? ¡Nosotros tenemos respuestas! Envíe un correo electrónico a San_Juan_Media_Team@fbi.gov

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FBI Detroit Warns Public to Beware of Government Impersonation Scams

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

Federal agencies do not threaten individuals or demand immediate payment

The FBI Detroit Division has seen an increase in reports of scammers targeting Michiganders through unsolicited telephone calls in which the caller claims to be a representative of a government agency, including the FBI.

Be advised, federal agencies do not call or email individuals threatening arrest or demanding money. Scammers often spoof caller ID information, and these calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call.

There are many versions of the government impersonation scam, and they all exploit intimidation tactics. Typically, the caller advises the recipient of the call that charges have been, or soon will be, filed against them, and threatens to confiscate the recipient’s property, freeze their bank accounts, or have them arrested unless payment is made immediately. If the recipient questions the caller, the caller becomes more aggressive. The recipients are advised that it will cost thousands of dollars in fees or court costs to resolve the matter, and the caller typically instructs people to wire “settlement” money or provide payment via prepaid cards or gift cards to avoid arrest.

“Nobody wants to be the subject of a law enforcement investigation, and scammers are using that to their advantage to try to intimidate people into handing over their money,” said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “It’s important to resist the urge to act immediately. We’re asking you to contact law enforcement to verify if the person contacting you is who they say they are.”

According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 12,827 people reported being victims of government impersonation scams in 2020, with losses totaling $109,938,030. Here in the Detroit Division, which covers the entire state of Michigan, 303 victims reported financial losses totaling $1,395,174.

The FBI will never:

  • Call, email, or text private citizens to demand payment or threaten arrest. You will also not be asked to wire a “settlement” to avoid arrest.
  • Ask you to use large sums of your own money to help catch a criminal.
  • Ask you for wire transfers or gift cards.
  • Call, e-mail, or text you about “frozen” Social Security numbers or to coordinate inheritances.

Scams impersonating the FBI and other government agencies are a persistent problem and can also occur via email or text message. Common hallmarks of a scam email include misspellings, missing words, and incorrect grammar. Fraudulent emails may give the appearance of legitimacy by using pictures of the FBI Director and/or the FBI seal and letterhead.

Members of the public seeking to confirm that they have been contacted by an actual FBI employee are encouraged to call the FBI Detroit Division at 313-965-2323 and ask to be connected directly.

To avoid becoming a victim of this scam, be wary of answering phone calls from numbers you do not recognize. Do not send money to anybody that you do not personally know and trust. Never give out your personal information, including your Social Security number, over the phone or to individuals you do not know.

If you think you are a victim of this scam and suffered a financial loss, please immediately file a report with your local law enforcement agency and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

All types of fraud schemes and scams (even if there is no financial loss) should be reported to IC3. Filling a complaint allows analysts from the FBI to identify leads and patterns from the hundreds of complaints that are received daily. The IC3 then refers the complaints, along with their analyses, to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up investigation and to aid in public awareness and crime-prevention education efforts.