DEA: Fake agents targeting online drug buyers

The Drug Enforcement Administration is waing Georgia residents about an inteational scheme targeting Georgia residents.

Special Agent Harry Sommers told Georgia Newsday that criminals are posing as special agents and calling on unsuspecting people.

”I guess you're always surprised when somebody uses your name, but we have seen this across the country, Sommers said.

Sommers said that in the scam, if someone has purchased pharmaceuticals over the Inteet without a prescription, someone posing as a DEA agent calls and tells the resident they have committed a crime and they could be arrested if they don’t pay thousands of dollars.

The people behind the scheme have set up an inteet phone number so it looks like the call is coming from a 678 area code, Sommers said. When victims call the number back, they hear a recording for the Atlanta division of the DEA.

Sommers said his agency would never ask anyone for money and that he’s seen an increase in the phone calls recently in the Atlanta area.

Sommers also waed about buying drugs over the Inteet.

”If you don't have a valid prescription to buy something that requires a prescription, you shouldn't be doing it. You have no idea what you're buying or receiving, Sommers said.

Agents said the entire operation appears to be centered in the Dominican Republic.