DEA Scam Targets Area Doctors And Seniors By Threatening Fines

PALOS PARK, IL — A caller posing as a Drug Enforcement Administration agent threatened to arrest a Palos Park resident for supposed drug violations unless the resident paid thousands of dollars in fines, police said. The scammer told the resident to pay the fine by sending a wire transfer or the resident would be arrested and imprisoned.

“The DEA has said the callers mostly appear to be going after unsuspecting senior citizens, but they are also targeting medical offices,” said Chief Joe Miller, of the Palos Park Police Department. “They may threaten medical offices with suspension or revocation of their DEA registrations. The DEA recommends simply hanging up the phone the second someone claims to be an agent who demands money and personal information, and they call the local police.”

The scammers call the victims, spoofing DEA phone numbers to appear legitimate, and threaten arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment for supposed violations of federal drug laws or involvement in drug-trafficking activities unless victims pay a “fine” over the phone, via wire transfer, or through a gift card.

Anyone receiving this type of call from a person purporting to be with DEA should report that contact using or by calling 877-792-2873. DEA registrants can submit the information through “Extortion Scam Online Reporting posted on the DEA Diversion Control Division website,