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

The FBI’s Portland Field Office and Oregon State Police – working with the FBI’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Center (BTAC) – are joining with law enforcement agencies, educators, mental health practitioners, and community organizations to form threat assessment teams designed to bolster Oregonians’ ability to identify and stop violent threats.

This initiative has two parts: 1) a series of regional workshops throughout the state; and 2) one-on-one consultations with communities interested in FBI threat assessment research as they consider forming threat assessment teams. The workshops – held in July – brought together more than 350 people from a variety of disciplines to learn how to identify those who are on a “pathway of violence” and to consider what options are available as they work disrupt a threat. (See list of workshop co-sponsors below.)

“It is very important that the FBI, working with OSP, give our partners the tools they need to identify and stop threatening behavior. While law enforcement has a role to play, these teams are really a community-led effort that draws on the strengths of educators, counselors, social service providers, and many others to be effective. When we have all of those partners at the table, research has shown that threat assessment teams are the most effective way to stop acts of mass violence,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.

Years of experience and research by the FBI’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Center show that, while the motivators and drivers for violence are highly individualized, those who commit violence travel an observable and discernible pathway from thought to action. In almost all situations, a “bystander” (such as family, friends, classmates, or co-workers) will have noticed changes in behavior. In many cases, a bystander reports that concerning behavior to non-law enforcement authority figures, such as a school counselor, a coach, or a local religious leader. As such, community members need clear and sometimes multiple avenues for potential reporting.

How to Assist

Community members interested in learning more about how to help identify and stop violent threats can find more information in the FBI’s Making Prevention a Reality: Identifying, Assessing, and Managing the Threat of Targeted Attacks. Anyone with information about a potential threat or act of violence should call 911 (in an emergency) or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information may also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. Any Oregon agency, educator, mental health organization, or service-provider group interested in learning more about threat assessment teams should contact the FBI in Oregon at (503) 224-4181.

Workshop Co-sponsors

The threat assessment workshops took place in Lincoln City (July 12-13, 2021); Canyonville (July 14-15, 2021); and La Grande (July 19-20, 2021). Co-sponsors of these events included: Cow Creek Tribal Gaming Commission, Seven Feathers Casino Resort, Eastern Oregon University, Northwest Chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Department of Justice, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Siletz Tribal Gaming Commission, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, and Oregon Peace Officers Association.

Additional resources:

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 coin cons.

The FBI and the Department of Treasury have a warning today about fraudsters who are targeting coin collectors and investors through online auction, social media, and retail websites.

There are three types of counterfeit coins: transactional coins (quarters, dimes, etc.), numismatics (high-value collectibles), and bullion (precious metals). The scammers are using online ads, claiming the coins are authentic; however, consumers are receiving fake coins and precious metals.

Online estimates reveal that consumers spend millions of dollars buying valuable or rare coins, but most receive near-worthless foreign-made counterfeits. The U.S. government is seizing an increasing number of counterfeit coins at U.S. ports of entry. For example, in April 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago’s international mail facility seized 279 shipments from China containing counterfeit coins and currency. In 2020, CBP seized more than $1.64 million in counterfeit cash and coins at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Scammers capitalized on the financial uncertainty and nationwide coin shortage brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of amateur investors online. Many victims find purchasing online an easy method to make investments, as they can easily find what they are looking for, pay cheaper prices, and have their investments delivered right to their door. It’s a great option if you find a legitimate vendor.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Only make purchases from reputable, registered coin dealers.
• If you decide to purchase outside this venue, ensure that the coins are tested by a certified organization before making a purchase.
• Research online sellers before buying coins and precious metals online. Check online reviews and Better Business Bureau complaints before making a purchase.
• If you believe that you are the victim of a counterfeit coin scheme, immediately report the activity to the online payment provider or credit card company used for the transaction.

If you end up with counterfeit coins involving U.S. currency, you should file a report with your local U.S. Secret Service office. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General. All non-currency coins and bullion should be reported to the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.

If you are the victim of an 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.

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

The FBI and Albuquerque Police Department are looking for an unidentified man who wore white-framed sunglasses when he robbed a southwest Albuquerque bank Thursday afternoon (9/23/2021).

The robbery occurred at Bank of the West, 5228 Central Ave. SW, at approximately 4:31 p.m.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’6″ to 5’7″ tall, with a slender to medium build.

He wore a dark sweatshirt, a dark two-tone baseball cap with a logo on the front, sunglasses with white frames, and a gray mask over his lower face.

The suspect entered the bank and presented a demand note to a teller.

The teller gave an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect, who left the bank.

Anyone with information about this robbery 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.

Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

Bank robbery carries a possible prison term of up to 20 years. The use of a gun, other dangerous weapon, toy gun, or hoax bomb device during the commission of a bank robbery can be punishable by a prison term of up to 25 years.

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

An unidentified man wearing an olive green long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans robbed a northeast Albuquerque credit union on Monday afternoon, September 20, 2021.

The robbery occurred at Sandia Federal Credit Union, 8505 Candelaria Road NE, at approximately 4 p.m.

The suspect is described as a white male, 30 to 40 years old, heavyset, and 5’9” to 5’10” tall.

He wore an olive green long-sleeve, button-up shirt, blue jeans, dark shoes, and a blue surgical mask.

The suspect entered the credit union and presented a demand note to a teller.

The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect, who left the bank.

Anyone with information about this robbery 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.

Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

Bank robbery carries a possible prison term of up to 20 years. The use of a gun, other dangerous weapon, toy gun, or hoax bomb device during the commission of a bank robbery can be punishable by a prison term of up to 25 years.