Sacto 9-1-1
January 13, 2013
South Lake Tahoe man avoids being victim in widespread fraud

South Lake Tahoe Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration are warning the public that criminals posing as DEA agents are trying to extort money from people who have purchased prescription drugs via the internet.

Police officials reported late Saturday that a resident of South Lake Tahoe resident called police after a man called him professing to be a DEA agent and warning that the resident would be arrested on criminal charges for buying an illegal prescription via the intent unless he wired $1,000 to the caller.

The resident did not pay and reported the call to police.

The department, in its announcement, said the DEA is aware of the scam, which is part of an international extortion scheme. The DEA said perpetrators often direct people to wire money to an overseas account.

The DEA, in its release, advises the public that no DEA agent will ever contact members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment.

The DEA asks individuals report any extortion attempt to the agency's hotline, (877) 792-2873.

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