Getting The Local Police On Your Side Has Everything To Do With Understanding Their Role!
What Is The Role Of Local Police And What Can They And Can’t They Do?
Your local police are responsible for maintaining law and order within their communities. They have a wide range of responsibilities, but there are certain things they can and cannot do.
They can:
- Respond to emergency calls and investigate crimes.
- Patrol their designated areas to deter crime and maintain public safety.
- Investigate crimes within their jurisdiction.
- Make arrests and detain suspects.
- Provide first response and other assistance to the public.
- Work with other law enforcement agencies and community organizations to address crime and public safety issues.
What Limits The Local Police Involvement With Transnational Organized Crime?
There are several factors that limit local police involvement with transnational organized crime (such as relationship scamsRelationship Scam A Relationship Scam is a one-to-one criminal act that involves a trust relationship and uses deception & manipulation to get a victim to give to the criminal something of value, such as money! Click here to learn more: What Is A Relationship Scam?):
- Jurisdiction: Local police have jurisdiction only within their own town, county, state or province, or country, and may not have the authority to investigate or arrest individuals or groups operating across national borders.
- Resources: Local police departments often have limited resources, such as funding and personnel, to devote to investigating and combating transnational organized crime.
- Lack of specialized expertise: Transnational organized crime often involves sophisticated criminalCriminal A criminal is any person who through a decision or act engages in a crime. This can be complicated, as many people break laws unknowingly, however, in our context, it is a person who makes a decision to engage in unlawful acts or to place themselves with others who do this. A criminal always has the ability to decide not to break the law, or if they initially engage in crime to stop doing it, but instead continues. activities, such as money launderingMoney laundering Money laundering is the illegal process of concealing the origins of money obtained illegally by passing it through a complex sequence of banking transfers or commercial transactions. Money laundering can be done through various mediums, leveraging a variety of payment vehicles, people and institutions., and cybercrimeCybercrime Cybercrime is a crime related to technology, computers, and the Internet. Typical cybercrime are performed by a computer against a computer, or by a hacker using software to attack computers or networks., which require specialized expertise to investigate and prosecute. Local police may not have the necessary training or experience to effectively address these types of crimes.
- Limited international cooperation: Local police may face barriers to cooperation and information sharing with foreign law enforcement agencies, which can make it more difficult to investigate and prosecute transnational organized crime.
- Corruption: In some countries, local police may be susceptible to corruption, and may have difficulty combating transnational organized crime groups that have infiltrated or co-opted law enforcement agencies.
What Can They Do?
Having said the above, what can they do?
- They can take complaints and reports and make sure they are forwarded to agencies that can effectively make use of them.
- They can help victims understand their victims’ rights in their state, province, or country, and be connected with a local victims’ advocate to help guide them to resources and services that can help the victim.
- They can understand that victims (especially of cyber-enabled crimeCyber-enabled Crime A Cyber-enabled crime is one where technology facilitates a criminal to commit a crime against an individual or a business. These are where there is a one to one relationship between the criminal and the victim. Romance scams, email fraud, and many other types of scams are considered cyber-enabled crimes. The technology used can be the Internet, a computer, a phone, or other devices.) may be very traumatized and need to be heard.
- They can explain the processes – what they can, cannot, and will do.
- They can allow the victims’ to stay connected and informed of any progress or changes in their case.
- They can help victims recover their money!
- They can notify & coordinate with other jurisdictions to shut down Money MulesMoney mules Money mules are a type of money laundering where a person transfers illicit funds through a medium (such as a bank account) to obfuscate where the money came from. There are different types of money mules including witting, unwitting, and complicit..
- Forward the case to the State, Provincial, or National cybercrime police units. This includes forwarding the case to the FBIFBI FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is also a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. A leading U.S. counter-terrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes, including financial fraud. – when local police call them in, there is a greater chance that the FBI will take on the case.
- Forward the case to their local prosecutor for additional action.
Why Don’t The Local Police Investigate These Crimes?
There are many factors that police detectives consider when deciding which crimes to investigate and which ones they do not want to investigate. Some of the main factors that may influence their decisions include:
- The severity of the crime: Detectives are more likely to prioritize investigating serious crimes, such as homicides, sexual assaults, and armed robberies, over less serious crimes, such as petty thefts or vandalism.
- The likelihood of solving the crime: Detectives may be more likely to investigate crimes that they believe they have a good chance of solving, based on the availability of evidence and potential leads.
- The potential impact on the community: Detectives may prioritize investigating crimes that have a significant impact on the community, such as those that
- Special circumstances: such as Elder Abuse
Can You File A Police Report On A ScammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the scammer.?
If you have fallen victim to a scamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime - is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost., your local police department should be able to help along with the resources mentioned above. It is generally best to file a police report on a scammer, reach out to your bank, and file a complaint with the appropriate federal agency as soon as possible after you have been scammed.
To file a police report for a scam, you will need to make a call to or visit the fraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim. division of your local police department. Make sure you are able to provide them with information about the incident, from bank statements to credit card charges, emails, and phone call history. If you have any information about the scammer, such as their physical appearance, the sound of their voice, phone number, or IP addressGeolocation Geolocation is the utilization of a device IP address, along with other device signals, to determine geographical location. An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label such as 192.0.2.1 that is connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two main functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. An IP Address can be used to locate a physical computer's location., be prepared to share it with the authorities.
We recommend that you prepare well in advance. Here are resources that can help with that:
- A Scam Victim’s Checklist
- SCARS Webinar: Telling Your Story Part 1 – Telling The Police
- SCARS RED BOOK – Your Personal Scam Evidence & Crime Record
Upon reaching out to the police, they will ask you for the information they need to file the report. Be sure to make a note of which officer files the report and their contact information in case you need to follow up.
Depending on what kind of scam has taken place, your local authorities may not be able to catch the scammer. In this case, they should be able to provide you with additional resources to help. Sometimes, your local police department will direct you to a state consumer protection office for scamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime - is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. related to banking, insurance, investments, and household utilities.
Getting The Police To Act!
There are a few steps you can take to try to motivate local police to investigate and take action on a financial fraud case:
- Gather and organize all relevant documentation: Collect any evidence you have of the fraud, such as bank statements, email exchanges, or contracts. Make sure this documentation is organized and easy to understand.
- File a report with the police: Contact your local police department and file a report about the fraud. Make sure to provide as much detail as possible, including the names of any individuals or businesses involved and the nature of the fraud.
- Seek legal counsel: Consider speaking with a lawyer or a legal aid organization to help you navigate the process of reporting the fraud and seeking justice. A lawyer can also help you determine what legal remedies may be available to you.
- Work with regulatory agencies: If the fraud involves a business or financial institution, you may want to report it to a regulatory agency such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Consumer Financial Protection BureauCFPB The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a United States government agency. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives. CFPB LINK (CFPBCFPB The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a United States government agency. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives. CFPB LINK). These agencies have the authority to investigate and take action against companies that engage in fraudulent activities.
- Be persistent: If you feel that the police are not taking your case seriously, don’t give up. It may be helpful to follow up with the police periodically to inquire about the status of the investigation and to provide any additional information or documentation you have.
How Should Local Police Respond To A Report Of A Money MuleMoney Mule A money mule sometimes called a "smurfer," is a person who transfers money acquired illegally (e.g., stolen) in person, through a courier service, or electronically, on behalf of others (usually criminals that they are knowingly or unknowingly affiliated). Typically, the mule is paid for services with a small part of the money transferred - but not always. Mules may or may not be aware that they are performing these actions. Money mules are often dupes recruited online for what they think is legitimate employment, not aware that the money they are transferring is the product of crime. The money is transferred from the mule's account to the scam operator, typically in another country. Similar techniques are used to transfer illegal merchandise. Mules can be prosecuted for numerous crimes.?
If local police receive a report of a money mule, they should take the following steps:
- Investigate the report: The police should thoroughly investigate the report of a money mule, including collecting any relevant documentation and interviewing any witnesses or individuals involved.
- Determine the severity of the crime: Money muling is often a sign of a larger criminal operation, such as a money laundering scheme or a cybercrime ring. The police should determine the extent of the criminal activity and whether it warrants further investigation.
- Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies: Money muling often involves individuals or organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions. The police should coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, both within their own country and internationally, to build a more complete picture of the criminal operation.
- Take appropriate action: Depending on the severity of the crime and the evidence gathered, the police may choose to arrest and charge individuals involved in the money muling operation, or they may refer the case to a federal law enforcement agency for further investigation.
It’s important to note that money muling is a serious crime that can have serious consequences for those involved. If you suspect someone you know may be involved in money muling, it’s important to report it to the authorities as soon as possible.
The Two Main Reasons Police Don’t Act
- The resources available: Detectives have to work within the constraints of the resources available to them. If there are not enough detectives or other resources available to investigate a particular crime, it may not be feasible for them to take it on.
- The priorities of the department: Police departments may have specific priorities regarding the types of crimes they want to investigate, and detectives may be expected to align their investigations with these priorities.
Ultimately, the decision to investigate a crime is often based on a combination of these and other factors, and it is up to the detectives and their supervisors to determine the best course of action.
We respect our local police, but they need better training and a new alignment of priorities!
Remember that local police work for YOU and your community!
What Can You Do When They Will Not Act?
- Ask the officer why they are not taking action. Be civil and polite, but firm.
- Ask to speak with the manager (often a Captain) of Detectives
- Ask to speak with your local police Chief or Sherrif
- Ask to speak with your local police commission
- Ask to speak with your town’s mayor
- Ask to speak with your town’s city council
- Ask to speak with your local District Attorney (sometimes called State Attorney or Provincial or Crown Attorney or Prosecutor)
You have a right to ask for answers. You have a right to speak with your elected officials and the agencies they manage.
However, YOU have to manage both your expectations and your emotions. If you are angry then the conversations will go no where!
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SCARS GREEN BOOK
Self-Help Self-Paced Recovery Program Guide
LEARN HOW TO RECOVER ON YOUR OWN
This program is designed to help scam victims struggling to recover on their own and for those who want to understand the overall process. You can be using other resources, such as traumaTrauma Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety or other emotional shocks, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. It’s not the objective circumstances that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized. Trauma requires treatment, either through counseling or therapy or through trauma-oriented support programs, such as those offered by SCARS. counselingCounseling Counseling is the professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes. A mental health counselor (MHC), or counselor, is a person who works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. Such persons may help individuals deal with issues associated with addiction and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. They may also work with "Social Workers", "Psychiatrists", and "Psychologists". SCARS does not provide mental health counseling. or therapy, qualified support groupsSupport Groups In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic, such as romance scams. Members with the same issues can come together for sharing coping strategies, to feel more empowered and for a sense of community. The help may take the form of providing and evaluating relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to and accepting others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also work to inform the public or engage in advocacy. They can be supervised or not. SCARS support groups are moderated by the SCARS Team and or volunteers., or completely independent – on your own!
The SCARS Steps program is a complete program and is provided for the purpose of helping scam victims to overcome this experience. Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues and challenges that a victim may have and help guide them through their recovery. But each person is different and it is important to understand your own reasons for being vulnerable to being scammed.
After the trauma of being scammed, you need to take steps to recover and move on. This may be an alternative to counseling in the short term, but we still encourage you to seek out professional help & support. Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues, challenges, defects, or problems that a victim may have in a generalized way.
The SCARS GREEN BOOK will help you recover from your scam offline and it will always be there when you need it!
SCARS SLATE BOOK – Let Us Explain What Happened!
A Guide For Families & Friends Of Scam Victims
HOW TO HELP ROMANCE SCAM VICTIMS FOR FAMILIES & FRIENDS OF SCAM VICTIMS
This SCARS Publishing book represents a complete guide to help the families and friends understand how these scams work and how to help the victim.
The SCARS Slate Book should be purchased by family and friends to better understand what happened to the victim and the traumatic impact on them. But it can also be shared by the victim so that they do not have to explain to family and friends about the scam. This publication is to help others to help Scam Victims to make it through this traumatic experience and recover.
Each person is different and it is important to understand how relationship scams work and why people are vulnerable; to being scammed, how they were lured in, then groomed and manipulated. This understanding is essential in helping them through the process of ending the scam and then on to recovery. The SCARS Slate Book will provide the information necessary to help support a victim through this process.
SCARS RED BOOK
Your Personal Scam Evidence & Crime Record Organizer
ORGANIZE YOUR INFORMATION TO MAKE THE REPORTING PROCESS SIMPLE!
Helps you get and stay organized. This publication is to help Scam Victims organize their crime information. Complete this information before reporting to the police then bring this book with you
Before or after reporting to the police the RED BOOK gives you a dedicated tool to record all the essential facts of this crime. The Victim, the Scammers, the Money, and your Police interactions. Everything that really matters can be easily recorded for your immediate use and for the future!
As we have seen, money recovery/repayment programs can become available years after the scam ends and you need to keep all the details of this crime in case it is needed. We have also seen scammers being extradited to the U.S. and other countries, this will help in the event you testify or give statements, Additionally, this helps you have your information ready to qualify for victims’ benefits, compensation, or aid.
The Official SCARS RED BOOK is your way of recording all the important facts of this crime so that you do not lose essential information, Complete the RED BOOK then put it away with the confidence that you will have it if or when it is needed.
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By the Society of Citizens Against Relationship ScamsSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS. Inc.
A Worldwide Crime Victims Assistance & Crime Prevention Nonprofit Organization Headquartered In Miami Florida USA & Monterrey NL Mexico, with Partners In More Than 60 Countries
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