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Security News in Brief: Escort Sentenced to Prison for Underreporting Income

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A Florida man was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for filing a false tax return. Jami Kopacz, of Fort Lauderdale, pleaded guilty to filing a false corporate tax return on Dec. 16, 2020. According to court documents and statements made in court, Kopacz worked as a paid escort for clients across the United States. Kopacz received payments directly from his escort clients, and from a private business for whom he worked as an independent contractor. From 2015 to 2018, Kopacz used his corporation, JK Training LLC, to receive income, and then filed false corporate tax returns (Forms 1120S) that substantially underreported the company’s gross receipts and total income.

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FBI Cautions Public to Beware of Scammers Preying on Your Kindness During Disasters

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

Press release available in both English and Spanish.

As most of the country weathered winter storms over the past few weeks and many charities have been set up to help those people in need, don’t let scammers prey on your kindness. Scammers want to help themselves to your money. They’re competing with legitimate charities and taking advantage of your generosity.

Charity fraud schemes seek donations for organizations that do little or no work—instead, the money goes to the fake charity’s creator.

Charity fraud scams can come to you in many forms: emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc. Always use caution and do your research when you’re looking to donate to charitable causes.

Protect Yourself

The following tips can help you avoid these schemes:

  • Never let anyone rush you into donating. Pressuring you to act right away is something that scammers do.
  • Give to established charities or groups whose work you know and trust. Don’t assume that charity you have seen on social media or online is legitimate, even it if was sent to you by a friend.
  • Be aware of organizations with copycat names or names similar to reputable organizations.
  • Be wary of new organizations that claim to aid victims of recent high-profile disasters.
  • Do your research. Use the Federal Trade Commission’s resources to examine the track record of a charity.
  • Give 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. Learn more about this trick from the FTC.
    • Don’t click links or open email/text attachments from someone you don’t know.
    • Manually type out links instead of clicking on them.
    • Don’t provide any personal information in response to an email, robocall, or robotext.
    • Check the website’s address—most legitimate charity organization websites use .org, not .com.

If you suspect you’ve been victimized or have information about these types of schemes, you can:

Puesto que la mayoría del país sobrevivió tormentas invernales en las últimas semanas y muchas organizaciones de beneficencia se han establecido para ayudar a la gente necesitada, no deje que los estafadores se aprovechen en su amabilidad. Estafadores quieren ayudarse a asimismo con su dinero. Están compitiendo con organizaciones de beneficencia legítimas y se están aprovechando de su generosidad.

Los planes de fraude buscan donaciones para organizaciones que hacen poco o nada de trabajo—en cambio, el dinero va a el creador de la organización de beneficencia fraudulenta.

Estafas de fraude de supuestas organizaciones de beneficencia puede llegar a ti en muchas formas: correos electrónicos, posts en medios de redes sociales, plataformas de crowdfunding, llamadas no solicitadas, etc. Siempre use precaución y he investigue cuando quiere hace una donación a causas benéficas.

Protéjase

Los siguientes consejos le pueden ayudar a evitar estas estafas:

  • Nunca deje a nadie que lo apresure a donar. Presionando que actúe de inmediato es algo que los estafadores hacen.
  • Done a organizaciones de beneficencia establecidas o grupos que conoce su trabajo y les tiene confianza. No asuma que la organización de beneficencia que vio en las redes sociales o en línea es legítima, aunque haya sido enviado por un amigo.
  • Tenga en cuenta de organizaciones con nombres de imitación o nombres similares a organizaciones respetables.
  • Tenga en cuenta nuevas organizaciones que afirman ayudar a víctimas de recientes desastres de alto nivel.
  • Investigue. Use el Federal Trade Commission’s resources para examinar el historial de la organización.
  • Use un cheque o tarjeta de crédito para donar. Si una organización de beneficencia u organización le pide que done por medio de dinero, tarjeta de regalo, moneda virtual, o transferencia bancaria, es probablemente una estafa. Averigüe más sobre este método en FTC.
  • Practique buena higiene cibernética:
    • No haga clic a enlaces o abra los correos electrónicos/textos adjuntos de alguien que no conoce.
    • Teclee manualmente los enlaces en vez de hacerlos clic.
    • No proporcione nada de información personal cuando conteste un correo electrónico, llamada automática o texto automático.
    • Verifique la dirección del sitio web—sitios web de la mayoría de las organizaciones de beneficencia legítimas usan .org, no .com.

Si sospecha que ha sido victimada o tiene información de este tipo de fraude, puede:

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FBI Jackson Arrests 13 on Various Federal Drug Trafficking, Firearms Charges

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

JACKSON, MS—The FBI Jackson Field Office’s Safe Streets Task Force arrested 13 individuals Tuesday on various federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. During the investigation, the FBI seized 15 firearms and approximately 16 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as additional amounts of cocaine and fentanyl.

The arrests come following an extensive investigation into violent street gang activity following an increase in violent crime in the Jackson area.

The 13 individuals taken into custody by the FBI are:

  • Mario Butler, 40, of Jackson.
  • Akoyea Jamere Clayton, 28, of Jackson.
  • Marcus Antonio Davis, 41, of Jackson.
  • Carrnell Vonshea Denman, 42, of Meridian.
  • Antonio Demond Doss, 26, of Morton.
  • Marcus Lamon Guice, 44, of Jackson.
  • Cedric Leshawn Kyle, 47, of Jackson.
  • Johnathan Jermell Ledbetter, 33, of Jackson.
  • Kenneth Lofton, Jr., 43, of Jackson.
  • Dennis Demond Mitchell, 39, of Utica.
  • Jeffrey Rivers, Jr., 38, of Jackson.
  • Tementa Robinson, 40, of Jackson.
  • James Lee Simmons, 49, of Jackson.

The individuals made their initial appearances before a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Mississippi in Jackson on Wednesday and today, February 25, 2021.

The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office’s Safe Streets Task Force which is made up of special agents from the FBI and officers from the Jackson, Ridgeland, and Meridian Police Departments.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely an accusation, and those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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FBI Milwaukee Division and Citizens Academy Alumni Association Announce New Youth Law Enforcement TEAM

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

The Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is proud to announce it will be hosting a new law enforcement Teen Experience and Mentorship (TEAM) program. The law enforcement TEAM is a five-day youth educational experience for high school students interested in law enforcement careers. The TEAM program is presented by local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and FBI personnel. Students receive specific classroom training and practical exercises in investigative forensics, use of cyber technology techniques for combating violent crime, counterintelligence, gang awareness, civil rights (hate crimes), and many more violations of state and federal law. The law enforcement TEAM program is a unique experience, which also includes an opportunity for youth to be paired with FBI volunteers who will be their law enforcement career mentors at the conclusion of the program. The TEAM program is sponsored by the FBI Milwaukee Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBIMCAAA). The FBIMCAAA supports the FBI as community ambassadors through education and advocacy. The FBIMCAAA is a non-profit organization separate and apart from the FBI.

The law enforcement TEAM class will be hosted at the FBI Milwaukee Division’s headquarters. The program is open to selected high school students in the five-county area of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha counties in Southeastern Wisconsin. The law enforcement TEAM takes place June 21-25, 2021, at the FBI Milwaukee Division, located at 3600 South Lake Drive in St. Francis, Wisconsin.

TEAM

The law enforcement TEAM program is a free, five-day, all-encompassing youth law enforcement experience presented in partnership with the FBI and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and sponsored by the FBIMCAAA. The FBIMCAAA supports the FBI as community ambassadors. through education and advocacy. The FBI Milwaukee CAAA is a non-profit organization separate and apart from the FBI.

The purpose of this joint effort is to provide an opportunity for youth in Southeastern Wisconsin to explore future opportunities and choices for careers in law enforcement. Selected youth will get an inside look at the FBI while also being exposed to a variety of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Students will participate in classroom activities and practical exercises. Some topics will cover investigative forensics, cybercrime, violent crime, gang awareness, counterintelligence, civil rights, and a wide range of state and federal violations. This unique educational experience will also include interactions with special agents, intelligence analysts, police officers, deputies, troopers, and wardens as well as local and federal prosecutors.

TEAM Eligibility Criteria

  • Student must be a United States citizen and a resident of Wisconsin.
  • Student must be currently enrolled in an accredited high school. If home schooled, the student must be recognized by their school district.
  • Student must be 15 to 18 years of age and have at least one semester of high school remaining at the time of the TEAM program.
  • Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.7.
  • Student understands they must be present each day of the TEAM program.

Student applications and instructions for the law enforcement TEAM can be found on the www.fbi.gov/milwaukee website (navigate to Community Outreach link for the TEAM application).

The application process starts March 1, 2021, and will be accepted through the deadline date of March 31, 2021. A total of thirty (30) students will be selected from urban and suburban high schools in the five-county area of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha counties in Southeastern Wisconsin to ensure a diverse gender, racial and cultural learning environment and life experience.

The instructions for applications are on the website and must be strictly adhered to with no exceptions.

No applications will be accepted after March 31, 2021, and the online application will be closed at that time.

For questions regarding the law enforcement TEAM program please contact FBI Public Affairs Officer, Leonard Peace: lcpeace@fbi.gov

Administrative Specialist, Julie Rosploch: jmrosploch@fbi.gov