FBI: Scammers coercing Arkansans into sending cash by mail

Targets told their name associated with drug-related crime along U.S.-Mexico border

LITTLE ROCK — FBI Little Rock is warning Arkansas senior citizens of an ongoing fraud scheme in which scammers impersonate federal law enforcement officials and attempt to extort money.

Since 2021, imposters have swindled Arkansans out of nearly $5 million coercing people into sending large amounts of cash through the mail, the FBI said in a news release.

“It’s not just a couple hundred dollars,” acting Public Affairs Officer Jessica Franklin said to the Gazette.

Franklin said since the investigation is ongoing, the FBI cannot comment on the counties where scam reports are made, precisely where the calls originate or whether any arrests have been made.

“Criminals initiate this scam by spoofing, or digitally faking, authentic phone numbers linked to towns along the U.S.-Mexico border,” the FBI said. “Scammers also use spoofed numbers to pretend to be federal law enforcement agencies in order to lure victims into sharing personal and financial information over the phone.”

The caller claims the target’s name is linked to a crime at the border committed by drug traffickers.

“The criminals will offer to protect the victim’s assets and provide them with a new identity or Social Security number after they receive cash mailed by the victim to an American address,” the FBI said.

Targets of the scam are urged not to tell anyone about the call.

Any money mailed is hard to recover, the FBI said.

“A federal agent is not going to contact you over the phone, ask you to change your Social Security number or ask for financial information,” Franklin said.

The FBI states legitimate investigations and legal action the bureau initiates is conducted in person or by official letter.

Franklin said calls from unknown numbers or repetitive calls can be red flags.

“If you are in doubt, hang up,” the FBI warned in the news release.

Senior adults and their families also need to be proactive, especially in reporting suspicious calls, Franklin said.

“Don’t be embarrassed to report it,” she said.

“Get with family members to see if any situations fit the bill.”

Those who have fallen victim to the scam are encouraged to inform their banking institution and cease all contact with the caller.

Franklin warned that while scammers are targeting seniors, all Arkansans need to be wary.

“Don’t think that you are safe because you are not a senior citizen,” she said. “It can happen to anybody.”

Anyone who thinks he or she has been a victim of the scam can file a report with the FBI by calling 501-2219100 or online at www.ic3. gov.