301-637-6111

DEA scammer call. 10-11-11. Sgt. Collier .

Wow busy DEA.  I didn't know the DEA makes in home calls.  Sgt Collier cannot speak, sounds like a fool.  SCAMMER...

Called from this # 301-637-6111, I sent it to voice mail. They left a message said his name was Manuel Castillo from the DEA "part of the Federal Govt" regarding a drug investigation. He said I should call back (same #) and ask for him or the "sargent deputy" in charge. I knew it was BS when he said to ask for the "sargent deputy". He also had a very thick spanish accent. I'm going to wander over to the real DEA page and report these scammers.No I did not call them back...

Just got a message from manuel castillo From the  "DEA a federal government agency "asking for a return call regarding an investigation. Ask for seargent deputy brian collier. Sounds like hes reading off a sheet.

yep, just got the same prank call on my business message machine from "the DEA"  said he was Maynard Castillio. Telling me to return his call about an "Important matter concerning an ongoing investigation" call 301-637-6111.

Glad to find this site as I knew it had to be an idiot scammer. Thanks!

how do i report this?!?! I keep getting calls from the "DEA" its really getting annoying!!

I keep getting calls from a man (men?) with a spanish accent claiming to be a DEA agent investigating me. I know its a scam and is getting annoying!

This is crazy. Received this same message and sounds like this man is reading off a script. What is the purpose of this scam. Doeas anyone know what they want or are trying to get?

Ok I got a call from this # from Brian Collier claiming to be a DEA agent. He told me I would be arrested in 24 hours if I did not pay a fine of "drum roll" $1,755.00 dollars immediately. He gave me a badge # and everything Sgt294. Scams are everywhere. Going to the DEA website and try to report this. This is very annoying.

Called my local DEA office in Atlanta, GA and reported this call and was informed that this indeed is a scam. Gave them all of the info that was given to me by the caller and was informed that they are currently investigating this matter.

I got this call in Oct of 2011.  The caller had a thick Irish accent. Said he was Brian Collier from Maine. They use that name because it is a real DEA agent (Former) who committed suicide recently, so if you google it, some DEA related stuff comes up.  Very sad case.  Anyway, he gave me the whole badge number 294 thing and had a lot of trouble speaking.  SCAM!

Thank you for posting this.

Yeah, seems like this must be a scam, from all the things i'm reading.  I knew it was fake, or they had the wrong person because the guy said it was concerning a drug investigation.  So i knew then, that something wasn't right.  Me, (like an idiot) called the number back after work, just to be curious (or straighten) it out, either way.  And to my suprise there was a recording of a lady saying that this # was the DEA and to leave your number and case #,  and someone would call back.  ha.  yeah.....Well, anyways by that time, i was like s**t!,  this is a bunch of bull.  So, no, I didn't leave a message.  I'm just curious, could someone PLEASE answer.  What are/or can they get by a person answering the phone (when they call), or by calling them back? ?   I just don't get it.......

Same thing, just got the call tonight...scary part is they left the message with my address and info saying that they would issue a search warrant to my address. Couldn't pronounce my last name or half the words he was 'reading' off of. I didn't order diet pills during the year they mentioned their 'investigation' was looking into, but nothing horrible. I knew it was fishy, thank goodness I checked google!!

I got a call from 301-637-6111. Same scam, different number. Left a message in an accent thicker than a nine-layer burrito. "Dis is especial ayent por duh Dee Eee Ayy." Die please!

I posted about the same type of call from "Special Agent Manuel Castillo" but when I wrote it down I couldn't read my own handwritting.  My caller ID said he was calling from 310-637-6111 just like everybody else here.  I refused to talk to him because I had no idea what he was talking about.  When I called the number twice, it came up as a call center for a home security business.  What a laugh, home security??  When I told them someone from that number was trying to scam me as a fake DEA agent, they appologized profusely.  Hum.  Anyway, now that I've done my research, I'm going to have fun with "Special Agent Manuel Castillo" or any of his cronies.  First I'll ask him what makes him "special", what's his exact mailing address, where did he get his training and is he aware that 11 people have been arrested in the DC for posing as fake agents.  I want to scare this idiot like he's scaring other innocent people!!

I've gotten calls from these spacktards off and on for years.  I block them via the Verizon website, but the block only lasts 3 months (I renew it when the calls start up again).  I know who it is when they call and am prepared to have a little fun.

Spacktard:  "This is so-and-so, [some garbled English], from the 'American Government'.."
Me:  The American Government??? Holy [***]!  You're just the man I need to talk to!
Spacktard:  [garbled English]
Me:  Help me out, here.  I'm doing a crossword puzzle. 14 Down, "Current US Vice President."
Spacktard: [silence]
Me:  It's five letters.  I think the fourth letter is "e", but that could be wrong.
Spacktard:  This is Special Agent Manuel Castillo, I'm looking for...
Me: A Special Agent!  How exciting!  Then you gotta know who the Vice President is, right?
Spacktard:  [silence]
Me:  Nevermind, my 2nd grader just got home, she'll know. [click]

Alternately, I'll answer in a gruff male voice:

Me:  Special Agent Martin Brodeur, US DEA.  (I rotate through various NHL goalie names.  Sometimes I'm Special Agent Tim Thomas, Special Agent Patrick Roy, etc.)

Spacktard:  Ahh.. [Silence]

Me: "The number you've called has been appropriated in connection to an investigation into a complaint about someone illegally impersonating a DEA agent. What is your name, please?

Spacktard:  Ahh...

Me:  Please stay on the line, sir.  I'm obligated to advise you that this conversation is being recorded.  Do you have any information that can lead us to the individual who is committing the felony offense of impersonating a DEA agent?  There's a reward if you do.

Spacktard:  [click]

Yes, I have time on my hands.  If you don't, and you have Verizon, just block the number.  They temporarily block 5 numbers for free.  Other carriers might offer this service, too.

EatAtJoes, That was truly a hillarious and beautiful way to handle Special Agent Castillo.  Hahahahahahahahahahah.  I'd love to hear if you get future calls and how you handle them.  Maybe you could take this show on the road.  :)

I have some ideas of my own for future calls but I doubt they will be any better than yours.  .

My husband got the same message from same phone #. He thought it was a bill collector in disguise. Lol
I wasn't sure about that but I did feel pretty sure that DEA agents don't leave u a voicemail to "discuss an ongoing investigation".  I would think they would be kicking ur door in & hauling u off for questioning so I knew something was fishy.
People never cease to amaze me!!  Get a job, for real!!!
I love "Eat at Joe's" ideas. That's fricking hilarious!
Besides messing with the guy, I really want to report him to authorities. How do I do that?
Thank God for Google & the Internet. 20 years ago I know I would be a little concerned. Probably not too much bc of the voicemail versus kicking ur door in.
Thanks for any info on how to report this P.O.S. scammer.

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2011

Media Inquiries: Christopher Kelly, 301-796-4676 christopher.kelly@fda.hhs.gov

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of a continued  international extortion scam.

The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials. The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards.

The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm and/or incarceration.

"Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law," said Dara Corrigan, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action.”

In most instances, victims of extortion-related calls have also received telephone solicitations for additional pharmaceutical purchases from other possibly related, illegal entities located overseas. The extortionists use customer lists complete with extensive personal information provided through previous purchase transactions. These include names, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, purchase histories and credit card account numbers.

Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.

No known victim has been approached in person by a law enforcement impersonator associated with this scheme.  

The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of various U.S. Attorneys, are pursuing multiple national and international criminal investigations.

Arrests have been made and additional prosecutions are pending; however, the scheme is likely to continue. The FDA has issued similar warnings in the past:

§  FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators1 (11/12/2008)

§  FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators2 (12/29/2009)

Victims of this scheme who have suffered monetary loss through the payment of funds in response to an extortion call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official regarding illegal pharmaceutical transactions may obtain a victim questionnaire by contacting the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations3 and clicking “Report Suspected Criminal Activity.”

Anyone receiving a purported official document on agency letterhead may verify its authenticity by contacting that organization directly via a publicly available phone number. Additionally, all federal agencies use email addresses with a “gov” email extension.

The FDA also reminds consumers that pharmaceutical products offered online and by telephone by sources of unknown origin can pose a substantial health risk. Products recovered during this investigation that were purchased from online or telephone sources have been found to contain trace amounts of heroin, other undisclosed and potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. Purchases should only be made from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from Web sites operating outside the law, personal data may be compromised.

For more on unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see Protecting Yourself4.

Questions and Answers
How did these people obtain my information?

They likely obtained the victim’s information based on a previous online or telepharmacy transaction, or from a submitted medical questionnaire. These instances could have occurred years ago, with personal information now on customer lists trafficked by these criminal groups.  These customer lists can contain tens of thousands of names and a substantial amount of self-reported data provided by consumers during previous transactions.  Typically, victims are being contacted by multiple unrelated groups, often for different purposes. (extortion, selling illegal pharmaceuticals, etc.)

How do I make the calls stop?

The extorters, just like the majority of telephone solicitors for illegal prescription medication, are based overseas and use voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone numbers, most commonly “Magic Jack”.  These services provide the extorters with the flexibility to constantly change their phone numbers and select ones with U.S. area codes.  If the victims  change whatever number(s) were used to contact them, and do not engage in any additional risky pharmaceutical transactions, the threatening phone calls and associated telephone solicitations for pharmaceuticals should cease.

What proactive steps can victims take?

Individuals who purchase medication online or via tele-pharmacies are frequently victims of credit card fraud, since this is how the medication is often purchased.  Victims may want to consider alerting their applicable financial institutions to ensure that identity theft has not occurred.

Why is FDA only asking victims who have lost money to contact the agency?The most effective way to track these criminals is to investigate the permanent record established when money transfers take place.

Have individuals been arrested?

Yes.  However, this scheme will likely not be eradicated and instead will continue to evolve.  For example, the extorters now occasionally reference other countries, such as Costa Rica, instead of the DR, as means to avoid all of the publicity regarding this scheme.

Am I going to be able to get my money back?

In almost all instances victims will not be able to recoup losses.  Multiple criminal groups employ this scheme, principally from overseas, and large monetary seizures are not anticipated.

Am I in danger?

In terms of physical danger, no victim has ever been approached in person, and the vast majority of these callers, regardless of their intent, are based overseas.  Their use of “police-type scanners”, law enforcement language and fictitious documents are attempts at a false sense of legitimacy. Extorters also occasionally reference cars parked on a victim’s street -- information that can be obtained online at various Web sites, as a way to frighten individuals into believing the extorters are near their residence.  If an individual feels threatened for his or her personal safety, immediately contact the appropriate local enforcement agency.

Is it possible that these callers are part of some “secret” investigative group, and FDA is just not aware of it?

No.  Law enforcement officials from both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic are pursuing these criminals.   More information regarding this scheme is available on FDA and DEA Web sites, or through online searches.  Extradition proceedings  between countries require close cooperation and often a formal treaty, and this often takes an extended period of time to complete.

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm239309.htm

Got the same message. Thanks to this website I do not have to worry about returning the call.