U.S. Attorney’s Office Urges Law Enforcement to Combat Fraud Using IC3 Platform

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi is warning law enforcement agencies and the public about ongoing fraud in the region. The office received numerous reports of scams targeting community members and local businesses, according to a letter from U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary.

Fraudsters often exploit victims by threatening them with fines or arrest for fake violations of law. They also target businesses, which can hamper their ability to operate. The office noted that federal agencies cannot investigate all scams, highlighting the importance of community awareness and reporting.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office recommends using the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) as a resource for reporting cyber-enabled crimes. Managed by the FBI, IC3 provides a platform for victims to file complaints online. If a report is filed within 72 hours of the fraud, the agency’s Recovery Asset Team can attempt to freeze stolen funds through the Financial Fraud Kill Chain process.

Victims should also contact their financial institutions’ fraud departments and request a SWIFT recall notice. However, the office noted that funds lost to cryptocurrency scams, such as Bitcoin, are often difficult to recover.

Leary emphasized the importance of law enforcement sharing these resources to help mitigate financial harm and protect communities. The letter encourages agencies to guide victims to the IC3 website, which offers additional tools and information to assist those affected by cybercrime.

Source: Original Article