The #FBI has become aware of recent cases in New Mexico of a phone scam known as virtual kidnapping in which a victim is told his or her family member has been kidnapped and a ransom demanded, according to news release. Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not actually kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart. If you suspect a real kidnapping is taking place or you believe a ransom demand is a scheme, immediately contact the Albuquerque FBI Division at (505) 889-1300 or local law enforcement.

The #FBI on Wednesday warned that the public health and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic are providing criminals with illicit opportunities at “breathtaking” speed. The agency said a wave of criminals has emerged in recent months as U.S. officials scramble to coordinate relief efforts. The FBI has uncovered a plethora of criminal activity in connection with the pandemic ranging from sham treatments and vaccines to bogus investment opportunities in non-existent medical companies, Fox News reported. Crooks have been busted for impersonating doctors demanding payment for treatments. Scammers have used websites and mobile apps to implant malware to steal financial and personal information. Other criminals have used COVID-19 as a lure to deploy ransomware for payments – a practice the FBI derided as “homicidal in the midst of a global pandemic.”

Hackers from foreign governments have broken into U.S. companies conducting research into COVID-19 treatment and the nation's health care sector, an #FBI official said. FBI's Deputy Assistant Director Tonya Ugoretz told participants in an online panel discussion that the bureau has seen state-backed hackers looking at a series of health care and research institutions, Reuters reported. She didn't specify what countries backed the hackers or what organizations were targeted. She said that hackers routinely have their sights set on the biopharmaceutical industry but their activity is usually increased during a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic.

A twisted piece of twine that looks like a noose was found hanging from a tree at Sonoma Raceway in California on Saturday, track officials have revealed. The discovery came one day before a similar item was discovered in the garage of African American NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Sunday, which prompted an #FBI investigation and outpouring of support for Wallace from his colleagues before the start of the Geico 500 on Monday afternoon. Wallace was instrumental in NASCAR’s decision on June 10 to ban the Confederate flag from its events, which was followed by protestors displaying the flag outside the Talladega track. Sonoma Raceway President Steve Page said the item was found behind a former administrative office on the property and that the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident. The northern California track was set to host its annual #NASCAR Cup Series race on June 14, but it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

#FBI looking into possible bomb threat against federal buildings in Portland as unrest continues.

#FBI warns Chicago PD of a gang pact to 'shoot on-sight any cop'.

The #FBI is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individuals who participated in an arson on September 23 at the Louisville Hall of Justice. Please submit tips to FBI Louisville at (502) 263-6000 or http://tips.fbi.gov.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/-arson-at-hall-of-justice-

The #FBI is seeking the public's assistance in identifying individuals who participated in multiple pharmacy burglaries on September 24 and September 25. Please submit tips to FBI Louisville at (502) 263-6000 or http://tips.fbi.gov.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/pharmacy-burglaries-kentucky1

Sen. Ron Johnson is calling on FBI Director Christopher Wray to confirm or deny details regarding a laptop said to have belonged to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden. Johnson, R-Wis., said in a letter to Wray obtained by Fox News that a whistleblower contacted his committee on September 24, claiming to possess a laptop that Hunter Biden left at his business, and that he had turned it over to the #FBI. Johnson noted that staff immediately asked the FBI to confirm certain details in order to validate the claim, but the bureau said they would not confirm or deny any of the information included in their request. "I have a responsibility to validate and verify the contents of any information produced to my committee," Johnson said in his letter. "The committee must know if it receives information that could be fraudulent or not accurate." Johnson mentioned the possibility that the information could be the result of foreign election interference, in which case a defensive briefing would be appropriate. He also acknowledged that if the whistleblower knowingly provided false information, that could be a crime. "For these reasons, the committee must know whether the FBI has assessed the validity of materials the whistleblower has provided, and what, if any, actions the FBI has taken since obtaining this information," Johnson continued. (Read more on FOX News.)
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Gun sales year-to-date in 2020 already surpass the total number of guns sold for all of 2019. #FBI figures provide an indicator of the surge in year-to-date gun sales, showing 28,826,449 National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requests from January 2020 through September 2020, versus 28,369,750 for all of 2019. WGNTV quotes National Shooting Sports Foundation public relations director Mark Oliva saying, “We have already surpassed all of the guns sold last year and we are well on our way to surpassing our record of 2016.” Moreover, Oliva indicated that “40 percent of people buying guns in 2020 are first-time gun owners.” Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley Arms owner Kendall Knapik said, “I’ve been in the industry for about 10 years now, and this is probably the craziest we’ve ever seen it. It’s mostly shotguns, home-defense shotguns. Those were the first to sell out. Then, people moved to handguns once the shotgun manufacturers couldn’t keep up with the demand.” On October 4, 2020, Breitbart News reported that September 2020 was the ninth consecutive month of record NICS background checks. That means January 2020 saw more NICS checks than any January in history, February 2020 saw more than any February in history, March 2020 than any March, and so on, all the way through September. October 15, 2020, Breitbart News reported that Smith & Wesson stock was up over 130 percent for the year amid the run on guns, and Sturm Ruger Co.’s stock was up 42 percent.

Unconfirmed. From the website that is dropping the Hunter Biden videos. If this is true and this man is not arrested immediately, then this country is truly fucked. Everybody should be publicly punished who has hidden this. Including the #FBI. Good God. What the actual fuck.

During #AANHPIHeritageMonth in May, the #FBI recognizes & thanks its employees of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage. Their various skills and achievements continue to contribute to the FBI's mission of helping victims of crime & protecting the nation.

🔗 FBI Los Angeles

Your #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday savings may lead scammers to deplete your savings.

Help protect yourself from fraud this season by following the tips at http://fbi.gov/holidayscams. Visit the #FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://ic3.gov to report online crime.

🔗 FBI Los Angeles

The #FBI has seen a major increase in scams like #sextortion targeting kids and teens. This #BacktoSchool season, keep your kids safe by learning how you can protect your loved ones from these devastating schemes.

Learn more at https://ow.ly/sjNL50Ta6js

FBI Los Angeles