CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. -- The Camden County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, wants to warn the public about fake DEA agents trying to extort money from people.

According to a release from the CCSO, this is how the scam works: Criminals call people who have purchased drugs over the Internet or the phone. The criminal then tells the person that such activity is illegal and unless they pay a fine, they could be arrested.

Usually, the criminal asks the victim to send the fine money through wire transfer, most times to an overseas location.

Scammers attempted to extract $1,500 from a local woman. They gave her a fake case number and told her she could set up a payment plan to pay the fine. One victim sent $29,000 in wire transfers.

The CCSO and the DEA wants to let the public know that DEA agents will not try to contact the general public over the phone to demand money.

The DEA also warns the public of buying drugs via the internet or over the phone. Such activities are illegal, unless stringent requirements are met. Ordering from unknown entities can also cause a person's financial and personal information to be compromised.

The CCSO and the DEA encourages the public to report these extortion scams by calling 1-877-792-2873 or 912-510-5100.

First Coast News