Don’t be fooled by coronavirus scams and phony cures, FBI and law enforcement warns
As if residents didn’t have enough to worry about during a pandemic, law enforcement officials are warning the public of scammers offering coronavirus cures, in-home test kits and surgical masks at rock-bottom prices.
“There is a whole variety of personal protection items for sale, but none of it exists,” said Bob Tripp, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Sacramento office. “People are getting empty promises.”
Federal officials have vowed to crackdown on the pandemic profiteers.
This week, federal agents arrested Keith Middlebrook, a Southern California man with 2.4 million Instagram followers, for selling a “patent-pending cure” and a treatment to prevent coronavirus infection. No such treatment exists, officials said. And Middlebrook was charged with attempted wire fraud.
Locally, law enforcement officials have received just a few reports of possible scams. Fresno County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Botti said he heard about someone in the community getting a phone call from a person offering a supplement for curing coronavirus.
“I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we start getting those reports,” Botti said.
Fresno police spokesman Jeff La Blue said the department’s financial crimes division hasn’t received any complaints, so far.
Still, federal officials have issued several warnings urging people to to stay vigilant against scammers and online predators who may be targeting school children at home.
U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District has appointed a special fraud coordinator to target scammers wherever they surface. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents said Friday that phony sales pitches are coming from every place imaginable, including door-to-door, text messages, social media, and through phone calls.
“If you can think it, scammers are doing it,” said Tripp.
Crooks are creating fake retail stores, websites, and social media accounts, claiming to sell medical supplies. Surgical masks, at-home test kits and phony cures are a big lure.
The scammers will not only prey on people’s fears but also their kindness.
Scammers have set up call centers, robo calls and phishing emails to try and get your personal information and money. And all under the guise of representing charitable organizations.
“It may look like it comes from a legitimate organization, but you should always check it out first,” Tripp said.
Before donating to any charities or crowdfunding sites, federal officials recommend doing some research, including visiting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website, www.ftc.gov.
And be careful of any business, charity, or person requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail.
Sean Ragan, special agent in charge of the Sacramento field office, said scammers and online predators realize that as people shelter in place, more will be spending their time online, making themselves potential targets.
“With so many kids out of school we are concerned that predators will try and take advantage and victimize kids at a greater rate,” Ragan said.
The FBI recommends parents talk to their children about internet safety and being careful about disclosing personal information on social media sites. Also, predators will pose as young people online to try and build a relationship with the child.
“Parents need to be aware of what their children are doing online,” Tripp said.
For more resources visit the FBI’s website at www.fbi.gov or to report a scam go to tips.fbi.gov.
At the Fresno office of the Better Business Bureau, spokesman Clayton Alexander said they have received several complaints about price gouging by local businesses. The BBB staff turn those over to local authorities that have stepped up their efforts at cracking down on those businesses.
Alexander said the BBB has posted several articles to help consumers. To read more, visit the agency’s website at www.bbb.org/us/ca/fresno.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 3:29 PM with the headline "Don’t be fooled by coronavirus scams and phony cures, FBI and law enforcement warns."
